"Grumblenaught, you know this farmhouse, right?
How is it layed out? And how long does it take to get there?
These giant spiders usually avoid daylight, so it's best to go as soon as we can. Perhaps we can find horses, or a wagon, to get us all close to the farm as quickly as possible, and then go by foot."
"I cannot help in this, but knowing some of the dangers we face, if any can afford it, purchasing some Anti-Venom from an Herbalist here in town may save one of our lives if we encounter the Spiders."
"Yeah, it's 18 miles on ta da house, so if we get some steeds, it could make a big difference. Havin' a couple horses around might be good for helpin' detect the spiders, too."
"Spiders..uh, I do not like spiders" Sachiko looks a little torn, but takes the first step forward.
"Spiders..uh, I do not like spiders" Sachiko looks a little torn, but takes the first step forward.
Tossing a disapproving glare at the young lass and all her veiled frippery, Grumblenaught mutters "P'raps ye'd best leave this business ta them of us who's used ta such, and get back t'yer seamstressing and giggle-bits, mebbe..."
Still flaunting a hefty frown, he looks at his well-worn hobnailed boots, before looking back up at the group as a whole. "No horse fer me, they makes me all sneezish. I could be persuaded ta ride a donkey though, if one of ye has a spare."
Valdisara hastily gathers up the pack she had slung to the floor and heads towards the door. As she passes the wounded Deputy and his caretakers, she lowers her head and prays aloud, "May your valor and honor this day be rewarded." Without pausing, she exits the Cold Comfort and approaches the group forming near the inn's entrance. Glancing at the gathering, she says simply, "I am Valdisara, recently of Vigil and sworn to do Iomedae's will in these lands. I am a stranger to you but would assist you in this endeavor, if you will have me. If you will not, I will go alone."
The paladin turns to the rough-looking dwarf. "I have a pack animal you may ride, if you wish it, although I have no mount of my own."
"As for the 'boy' he mentioned" she continues to no one in particular, "do the Rolsens have a child?"
Sachiko's eyes narrow at the dwarf and her upper lip quivers as if holding a tide back from flooding a coastal town "I can take care of myself Grumble, I may state I do not like spiders or for the matter many forms of insect, but I can hold my own, I hope your mettle on the field of battle is more inspiring than your stubby finger's assualt on those pastries in there" Sachiko points into the inn.
"That's is it Grandaughter let it out, take it out on the fat dwarf, he is lazy and slow, he is no match for you, look at him he is of a lesser race"
Sachiko quickly turns from the dwarf and walks to the other side of the group "Grandfather, I will not act on this, you are wasting your time here" Sachiko whispers to herself.
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"I have no mount either, but if there are some available here in town to borrow, I can probably manage to not fall off one." In any case lets make haste. There were a few men, who looked mighty interested in getting away from the confusion in the Inn, and a couple of them seemed to be heading due North out of town."
"If anyone else has a horse or donkey, speak up, we can fit at least two per horse.
At least Grumblenaught should get a ride, since he's slowest (no offence)
Can we find a wagon here? Lightening can pull one if necessary,
and Grumblenaught and any others could ride in it."
Pausing for a moment, hoping I didn't insult the Dwarf, I add:
"Let us know when we are getting close, Grumble,
we can leave the wagon on the side of the road somewhere, and you can walk from there."
"A moment. Jolem may perhaps have some idea of where to acquire a wagon, or horses."
Stepping back inside for a moment, Kara asks Jolem, "Pardon again, but do you know of any reliable stablery about where we could acquire a wagon, or perhaps stout horses, even a mule or two from?"
"18 miles? Winston's hardier than I thought, coming all that way poisoned and with a broken arm. Curious what he was doing patrolling out that far, too. Seems well outside the beat of a town watchman. If we're going to hire a cart, then, we should be about it. I shouldn't think a cart and driver would cost much to rent for the evening. Anyone else willing to chip in?"
"Let's find the horse & wagon.
I'm sure the folk of Carrion Hill would help their village's defense by renting out a horse & wagon at a reasonable cost, the driver can stay with the wagon when we dismount.
Bring the Jolem to let them know our purpose."
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"We can use my pony Alice if we are desperate for beasts to pull a wagon, though she is a stout pack-animal I bet there are better candidates, at any rate maybe those of us without mounts should start out now and let those with them, and possibly a wagon catch up. It's a long trip we should head out as soon as possible."
Orislav, Kara, neither of you are sure about the local laws in Carrion Hill, but a deputy constable running into an inn and calling for a muster is probably not official enough to allow visitors to start commandeering horses and wagons, at least not without ramifications later.
Kara, when you stick your head back in the Cold Comfort Inn:
You've seen Jolem chatting with customers, ordering the evening help around, and laughing with the winners of the darts games, but you've never seen him just by himself. And you've never seen anyone this alone. He stands like a man from whom much has been taken away, but who holds what remains with dignity.
He turns as a ribbon of light falls into the room, and asks, as politely as he can from so deep within a grief, "What else?"
"Pardon again, but do you know of any reliable stablery about where we could acquire a wagon, or perhaps stout horses, even a mule or two from?"
He looks hard at you, as if he were trying to understand something about you. "No horses? Then why are --" he catches himself, then continues.
"Um, try the Peirgrin Stables at the Dark Gate, east of the stockyards. That's where down-on-their-luck mercenaries usually sell their warhorses for a pouch full of silvers to drink away at the taverns. Look for a stable flying red and yellow ribbons. And check the horses carefully before you buy."
Do you want to buy
- light horses (which cost 75 gold, and which Martaug estimates could make the trip in 6 hours without pushing),
- ponies (30 gold, 8 hours without pushing), or
- donkeys (8 gold, 11 hours)?
Within earshot, a middle-aged woman with a noticable stoop gets Yalka's attention. "I apologize, but, um, I couldn't help but overhear your discussions. My name is Tepetta, and I work for the merchants down at the docks, hauling goods up to their stores. I'd be willing to rent m'wagon and team to you, if you please. I'd ask, well, 10 gold per day, 4 days minimum."
Valdisara:
Zosimus:
Zosimus, again:
Martaug, Yalka:
"I think yer all confusin' two issues," the half-orc druid rumbles as he lisens to the greetings and nacent plans "Deputy Win said dat da Blackspears wuz nearby and he's pretty sure dey were planning ta a attack da farm at dusk. Dose bites'a his weren't dat old, so dere's no way in da Hells dat he ran all da way from a farmstead dat far out. More like he found da bandit's hidey hole. Whether da spiders were bein' used by da dem as guard critters or incidental is up fer debate, but dey was probably in da same structure. Is dere any mines or caves nearby dat anyone knows about? Particularly, in da direction of da Rolsen farm?"
respoding to Martuag
"He's right, those wounds would have prevented a long journey. And, while I don't know where the brigands lair, we do know where they're going."
Hearing of the offer to hire a wagon
"I don't have much, but I can add to the pot for the hire fee."
removes 15gp from an inner pocket and holds it out
"And my name is Orislav, I'm a follower of the Stormlord."
Martaug pulls the onyx ring from his left hand and hands it to Orisalv. "Dat ring should be a marker good fer about a day anna half, Tepetta. Dat good by you? I try to give you gold or equal worth'a the fally honey when it comes in to get my ring back outta hock?"
"I only have 4 gold to spare but it is for the cart" Sachiko hands over her measly sum.
Zosimus pats his purse. "Well, I'll contribute to the wagon fund. I'm a bit light, though--just had to provide a supplement to the local guard's morale fund. It's just a couple of gold, but it's all I've got."
The big half-orc looks at the woman with the cart levelly "Dere's 36 gold, or da equivalent, Tepetta. Dis is ta go protect da Relson's from a bandit raid. Win was hurt pretty bad tryin' ta get a muster of citizens ta act in their defense."
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"I think Orislav and Martaug are right, there is little chance that Winston traveled the 18 miles from the farm to town to warn us, it is far more likely that the Bandits are nearby, we could try searching for them or head to the farm and prepare defenses."
"At any rate I have 15 gp I could lend to the cart fund if needed"
Hearing the eccentric Half-Orc's words, I nod, adding:
"Yes, Mar-Tog,
If you know caves or old mines between here and farmhouse, that would be helpful. If bandits staying near spiders, half our problem may be taken care of... or else is bigger problem."
"Yalka thinks we should bring much firewood, for start several perimeter fires when making camp. Monster Spiders probably scared of fire, and we would not be disadvantaged in dark."
Martaug flashes a small smile when Yalka give his name the more traditional orc pronunciation. When she mentions the disadvantage of the dark, he looks at her quizically for a moment then nods with a small chuckle. "Dat's right... humans, heh."
"I only have 4 gold to spare but it is for the cart" Sachiko hands over her measly sum.
The surrounding County of Versex is peppered with small caves, and back in the dark days when the Whisperer's agents held sway through the land, mines brought forth nickel, copper, and deeper riches.
Yalka, you've spent rainy nights in some of the smaller caves.
If you wanted more specifics, there are people who've studied the area.
Grumblenaught:
Zosimus:
"I thank you for your help, Jolem. We shall do whatever we can to stop these bandits, you've my word."
Stepping back outside, Kara notices negotiations in full swing for a wagon. After a quick recounting of what has transpired, Kara speaks, "I am more than willing to cover whatever remains. Indeed, I could cover the whole cost, should it prove more expedient. Saving that, should we need another outrider, I shall provide as much of the necessary funds as I am able."
"I guess not" Valdisara mutters when no one answers her question about the Rolsen's children. Having said all she is inclined to at the moment, she quietly watches the others as they negotiate for transport and discuss recent events amongst themselves. With a mental sigh, the paladin resigns herself to the familiar role of outsider.
Her brief fit of self-pity evaporates as her eyes rest on the strange young woman calling herself Sachiko. What is going on there? Val wonders. Something about the girl's words.. and what she doesn't say aloud.. strikes her as odd. That's one worth watching, she thinks before turning back to re-enter the inn.
"Ahem." Spying the weary-looking innkeep across the room, Valdisara coughs softly to draw his attention to her. "Pardon, Sir. I understand the town's alchemists are being brought here for this man. This is to go towards their services, or for his family should they be ... unsuccessful in aiding him."
With that, Val hands him her coin pouch, which contains all of her remaining funds except the 1 piece of gold she keeps hidden in her right boot.
The young woman nods in farewell to Jolem and exits into the sunlight once again. "So, if the Deputy found a camp of some sort, how much time are we going to spend looking for it versus traveling to these people's farm? You mentioned a wagon and team - how quickly can they take us to the Rolsen's? Is their homestead on a cleared path that a wagon can traverse?"
"I can take care of myself Grumble, I may state I do not like spiders or for the matter many forms of insect, but I can hold my own, I hope your mettle on the field of battle is more inspiring than your stubby finger's assualt on those pastries in there"
Grumblenaught snorts in derision as the waif retreats. Leastways I earn th' coppers I spend on pastries honorable, and while I am standin' up!" Having claimed the last word - at least mentally - the dwarf dismisses the matter in favour of more pressing priorities.
The paladin turns to the rough-looking dwarf. "I have a pack animal you may ride, if you wish it..."
"Aye, mistress. If'n we end up travelin' overland, sech a favour'd be kindly of ye. I gots no fears o' high places, but horses make me nose itch summat like a hive o' bumbleflies be in it."
As the conversation wobbles from horses and farmsteads to bandits and caves, Grumble coughs and speaks out, his voice a fluid rumble, like far distant thunder. "I have heard summat of these Blackspeares meself, but it was long ago, back afore I was bearded." His fingers absently twirl one of the rune-weighted braids of said beard as he continues. "Oddest part o' the tale was that it was told t' me like it were deep history even back then... Anyways, them Blackspeares fellers was ruthless, and well-disciplined and had spell-wrought spears what hid them from sight, so I do recall."
He squints at the sun, hanging high over the rooftops, before speaking again. "I dunno how much o' that I can swallow, as the bread of that story has gone long stale, but..." he adds, breaking once again into a broad and bristly grin, "I surely do know someone who would know the truth of it, and mebbe more besides. Best part is, we can find him in a pub!"
He nods briefly towards the holy man calling himself Orislav. "Might be that you an ol' Cale will get along jes' fine. He's good folk, if a mite soggy 'round the edges."
"C'mon then," he rumbles to the motley assemblage, casting another glance at the sky and setting off at a brisk trot. "I suspect Cale might even be awake by now, if we be lucky!"
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Curiosity sparked by the cantankerous dwarfs claim to know someone, possibly a historian or scholar, who might be able to fill some of the holes and questions the Blackspears "re-appearance" have created, I will follow Grumble.
Looking back at the rest of the group (those that do not follow):
"Lets meet up at the north trail out of town in 30 minutes."
As we make way to the docks I will make sure to keep up with Grumble as I am not as familiar with the area.
"What manner of man is this "ol'Cale", a historian, explorer, or some other learned scholar?"
"If Grumble knows someone who call tell us where the bandits lair could be, he must speak to him. But Win has charged us with the safety of the Rolsens. Until we know more, we should first look to protect them.
Valdisara, you have offered your pack animal for Grumble to ride, so he will be able to catch up to us as we travel in Tepetta's wagon. That way we loose no time. Yalka has said she has a horse, so she should go with Grumble. Anyone else with a steed should join the two of them.
If the men Deserach saw heading north are going to tell the brigands, the rest of us need to get moving. While we travel, we can share what information we have of the farm and family."
to Tepetta, as I pick up the backpack I had set down outside the inn
"Where is your wagon? And is it ready to travel? As Deserach has said we wish to be ready to go and at the north trail in 30 minutes."
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Anyone else with a steed should join the two of them.
If the men Deserach saw heading north are going to tell the brigands, the rest of us need to get moving.
I will reluctantly acquiesce, Orislav is right of course, I would only slow them down without a mount. I will look on as if torn between my natural fact-finding instincts and what I know is most practical and productive. Once the wagon arrives I will get in the back and look for a comfortable position to sit, this is not at all like the carriages I grew up riding in. Sigh.
Dere's 36 gold, or da equivalent, Tepetta. Dis is ta go protect da Relson's from a bandit raid. Win was hurt pretty bad tryin' ta get a muster of citizens ta act in their defense.
Tepetta levels her gaze at the half-orc and says, not unkindly, "I know; I heard y'all talking about it. He's the reason why I'm making the offer. Win and me, we go way back."
I am more than willing to cover whatever remains. Indeed, I could cover the whole cost, should it prove more expedient. Saving that, should we need another outrider, I shall provide as much of the necessary funds as I am able.
Tepetta gives Kara a quick look up and down. "Fair enough." She takes only the 40 gold she asked for, but she also takes Martaug's onyx ring. "Come back for it, after you're done, and we'll swap stories about Win," she calls back to Martaug over her shoulder as she goes to fetch her team.
Anyone who's going to consult with Old Cale probably leaves in the ten minutes it takes Tepetta to come back with her team. That's Grumblenaught and who else?
She brings a team of three draft horses, harnessed in horse collars, pulling a cart with sideboards. "This here is Pasha," explains Tepetta, pointing to the lead horse, a white mare. "Get her going in the right direction, and Lakov and Corb will follow. Corb's a biter, so be careful 'round him."
The wagon is overbuilt, sturdy rather than sleek, and stable enough to negotiate the winding cobblestones from the wharf area up the hillside to the industrial districts and back. It's seen some years of hard use. There's a front board for two people to sit. Six more people could pack into the cartbed, cramped; but if there were only four, they would be able to move freely back there.
Now, the collars allow a horse to pull with its entire strength, but these horses can't pull anything faster than a walk, and that won't get you where you want to go before sunset.
What you'll need are harnesses, which will take another 9 gp for the three of them; who's paying for that? Fifteen minutes later, you have the horses in harness. It's half past noon, and you're ready to travel.
(And yes, Corb is a feisty old stallion. It's dangerous for anyone to stand too close to him, even Martaug. Except Yalka. He tolerates Yalka.)
I don't think we will end up going to the farm at all - it seems that the bandits are hiding somewhere close (how far can a severely poisoned man with a broken arm wobble in 30 minutes, anyways?) and if we find out where in a timely fashion, we should be able to fall upon them before they leave to attack the Rolsens, since I would assume they are mounted, for getaway purposes at least.
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Sorry about that. I also apologize to all as it seems rather bossy in tone.)
Anyone who's going to consult with Old Cale probably leaves in the ten minutes it takes Tepetta to come back with her team. That's Grumblenaught and who else?
I will be staying and waiting for the wagon, albeit a bit torn over the decision.
"Hmm. Kara, Orislav, I've done readings for a gent just outside the walls, by the Dark Gate. He's got a fair bit of knowledge about the mines and caves in the area--might be able to give us a direction to go look. Spiders and bandits tend to like caves, so that's at least a lead."
"If this sage is as knowledgeable as you say, Zosimus, then he would be a valuable resource to our muster. If you do not object, I shall accompany you meet this man."
Turning to Orislav, Kara speaks, "Can you coordinate the rest of the matter here, Orislav? You have the air of a leader about you."
"Zosi-Mus, Even with two riders, Lightening can catch up with wagon quickly."
[Lightening & I quickly catch up with the Dwarf on the donkey. ]
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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It is indeed getting a little chaotic, isn't it? Mostly, that's because the characters haven't gotten to know one another yet, and everybody's still trying to find their place in the party.
So, here's a suggestion.
It's efficient to have three or four characters change out Tepetta's team into breastcollars and harness. So, you could send two or three characters to meet with old Cale (and make sure Grumblenaught finds his way back), and two or three characters to meet with Zosimus' contact. That would give everybody a short encounter with two other PC's.
In terms of time, you can push a team of draft horses to make 18 miles over hills, plains, and trail-laden light forest in about 4 hours (the animals will take some hp damage and be fatigued from the pushing). The vesper bells ring sunset at 6:00 this time of year. So, under ideal circumstances, you could leave at 2:00 and make the farmstead as the sun touches the horizon. Leaving earlier allows you to (a) find the farmstead once you get into the vicinity, (b) deal with any complications which might arise along the way, and possibly (c) form a plan that involves examining someplace else first.
Sachiko seems to be lost in the choas that surrounds the adults as they try to determine what to do, she settles in and attempts to aid Martag with the horses.
Valdisara raises her voice above the din, "HOLD IT! All of you be silent for a moment."
Lowering her voice only slightly, to ensure everyone can hear her, the Paladin continues, "The most efficient use of our time is for those who may have leads on these scofflaws to quickly investigate them, in no less than pairs - there is safety in numbers, after all. The rest of us should ready our transport and then all should rendezvous at a designated place and time. Since time is of the essence, those who miss the meeting are on their own. Let's regroup in an hour, on the road north of town."
Valdisara looks towards Martaug. "Can you suggest a suitable landmark, perhaps fifteen minutes beyond the city gates?"
"For the rest of you, Yalka follows the dwarf to the docks. He can ride to the rendezvous point with you, like it or no. And make sure to impress upon him that we have pressing time constraints."
"You," she says, looking at Zosimus. "If you have a lead, explore it now while there is time. You can take my donkey, since the Dwarf seems to have forgotten it. Deserach has a mount, he can accompany you."
"That leaves the rest of us to finish things up here and get ourselves to our landmark in time. We can discuss strategies, tactics and any new information after we regroup. What say you all?"
Martaug nods at Valdisara "Yeah, Bromley's barn is 'bout ten minutes out by dat track. Hard ta miss, da doors is painted blue. We can get tagether dere."
Zosimus strides off with Deserach and pony in tow, heading for the Dark Gate at a quick pace. "Musters are always such a mess when there's no watch to herd people. Hopefully we'll get something useful out of Hillsage and manage to find everyone else. I've no intention of running into whatever stung the Hells out of Winston on my own."
Thanks for the organization, Quandary.
Kara: your last post conficts w/ Val's plan, you could stay with the Wagon Team & organize Equipment(Val's plan), or try to go with Zosimus, but all the 'investigating' teams were mounted to rendezvous quicker (though that might not really matter). If it matters(Chris?), you either need your own horse, or need to kick Deserach off his pony, if you want to go with Zosimus.
The quick-rendezvous issue only arises if you meet a fair distance away from town. If Martaug suggested a meeting place ("Bromley's blue barn" is a terrific landmark; most of the local orc marauders try to pass by that place in the dead of night, to take advantage of darkvision being in black-and-white) which was a fifteen-minute job down the path, that's not so much a concern.
Yalka and Grumblenaught
Yalka, this place reminds you of everything you don't like about cities: it's noisy, insanely crowded, the people are casual in their rudeness to one another, and the stench is, well, actually, ... the smells are not too bad. On a clear, breezy day like today, with the tang of autumn sweeping through the river valley, the wharf area surprises you by being tolerable. Even the dockworkers are a little more pleasant than you've come to expect.
Grumblenaught, the Corner Pub's that way, about a block upriver and up off the opposite bank. The narrow, wooden footbridges here are two stories above the riverbanks, leading you from rooftop to rooftop. As the two of you cross, you can make out Old Cale on the weathered benches outside the pub, holding court with a few of the local children, most likely telling lurid tales and teaching them ribald songs.
Yalka, you've never seen this man before. He looks like he was just drenched with a bucket of riverwater, but there's no puddle around him. He looks to be in his early 60's, stringbean thin. He wears rough black overalls over an off-white linen shirt. His hair is mostly white, thinning, and sopping wet.
Deserach and Zosimus -- and Kara, if it pleases you
Gormut's tower is surely the ruins of a small military base, whose builders were forgotten long ago. All that remains of it now is the first story, with a southern wall that stretches another 30' skyward, which suggests the dimensions of the tower that once stood here, and which provides shade to Gormut's living quarters.
There's a much newer low wall made out of rough white stones, designating a "yard" of sorts, with a gate and a row of paving stones marking an arcing path from the road to the tower's door. Zosimus, you've been warned to keep horses out of the yard, and to stay on the path.
As you approach the double front doors, they swing wide, more or less of their own accord, and you see a man in his late 40's, slightly heavyset under his olive green robes, with only a wreath of curly black hair, walking out into the sunlight towards you.
Zosimus, you're familiar with Gormut -- last winter, you cast a few Harrow readings for him, on esoteric topics -- and his health has grown worse. His skin is paler, his eyes have lost some of their keenness.
"Proe-phet Zoe-si-moos," he croons, taking care to elucidate all his consonants. "When I saw you lee-ving the city, I was thrilled by the bounty of your coe-ming to vee-sit. How may your humble sair-vant proe-vide for your comforts?"
Sachiko
In adition to its other offerings, the Lotus provides good food in its common room. One evening, one of the diners was overcome with poison, and it was Urthula who'd been able to neutralize it, simply by placing a small jade statue in his hand. She'd done so without anyone asking her help, and seeking no reward for it.
Last month, Urthula hosted a party, and you were one of the girls Madame Silk sent to hep entertain. She lives in a large house, alone except for servants, on the north side of the city.
Orislav, Martaug, and Valdisara
You don't get closer than fifty feet before a team of three men storms out of the office, seething. They wear matching armor, oil-boiled leather, dyed black, with an inch of silver edging around each piece. They're armed, with matching scabbards at their left sides. A younger woman, just 20, rounds the corner of the office after them, desperate to catch up with them despite a wounded ankle.
The three stop as they see you approach. One of them, a barrel-chested man with a tightly-cropped goatee, smiles thinly and announces, "If you don't have our mounts, you cow, then we'll take these three."
"A sound plan, Valdisara. Very well."