"Good man. Anyone else?"
"Well, I'm pretty good with a crossbow. And I've seen some other women in uniform. I don't think they can afford to be sexist right about now. If nothing else, it will be a good chance for us to keep an eye on things. If you're up for it, I'm up for it."
"I think Jon's idea is wise; we should see what the inside of the palace looks like in the day before we invade it at night."
"This is a bad idea, I'm fully capable of "soldiering", but this is not the way to remove a threat by walking up to the hornet's nest and smashing it hoping to get to the queen..."
"Who said anything about smashing a hornet's nest? I'm looking for a job, not a fight. Like Red and 'Gak said it might be a chance to scout the place, get the lay of the land. I would have figured you of all of us would be most interested in talking our way in."
"If you're willing, the next question is do I go alone, or does everyone come?"
"Maybe the three of us can try to find out what we can on the inside, while Andrea and Paellet continue gathering information on the outside? That sounds alright to me, but do you think we should wait until morning to approach about a job?"
"Maybe the three of us can try to find out what we can on the inside, while Andrea and Paellet continue gathering information on the outside? That sounds alright to me, but do you think we should wait until morning to approach about a job?"
"There's no time like the present. Let's head up there now. Then we'll know if we want to try the kennels tonight."
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"Very well...let's go then, time's not stopping"
"My line of reasoning was that if we announce ourselves at the gate, it may arouse suspicion, usually if you're going to eliminate a threat, you dont announce yourself, Guligak might as well just challenge him to one on one combat...In fact I'm surprised he hasn't tried..."
Less than a hundred feet in front of you rises the wall that surrounds the keep, and it's only visible entrance, the Gatehouse. Jon's knowledge of architecture and engineering, as well as his experience, can shed some light on the structure here.
The gatehouse is composed of two squat towers capped by merlins and parapets flanking two sets of 6-inch-thick wood-and-iron gates. The two levels under the battlements are riddled with arrow slits facing the bailey between the stout gates — a killing field for the keep defenders, should enemies break through the first gate. The two gates are probably held firmly in place by a mechanism of gears and bars that requires considerable strength or a number of people working together, to operate.
Even a casual count will reveal more than a dozen guards stationed at the gatehouse.
Before they approach the castle Andrea whispers to Jon..
"Don't say anything but I'm going to argue with you when we get to the gate and I want you to hit me..slap me...don't worry I've had worse but we want them to get the impression you're a typical mercenary thug. I'd ask Guligak but his idea of a freindly slap might kill me"
Before they approach the castle Andrea whispers to Jon..
"Don't say anything but I'm going to argue with you when we get to the gate and I want you to hit me..slap me...don't worry I've had worse but we want them to get the impression you're a typical mercenary thug. I'd ask Guligak but his idea of a freindly slap might kill me"
"Well, Andy, I appreciate the help, but let's mnot make that play. First, I don't cotton to hitting most people, especially friends.
Second, I just had words to that effect with 'Gak.Third, that's not the impression I want to make. I don't want a job standing in the guardhouse. I want a job commanding the troops in the guardhouse."
Jon squares his shoulders and marches toward the castle gate.
Jon, Guligak, and Rose saunter up to the guardhouse with an air of authority and a commanding presence. It's that presence precisely that sets the guards into a defensive mode. It's only a matter of seconds before half a dozen crossbows are aimed at the pair. A shaky guard calls out "What do you want?"
When it's made clear that you intend to join the defense against the Andoren army, a chatter erupts among the guards. The same shaky guard yells out "I dunno. We'll have to get the captain."
After a few minutes, another call comes from the towers of the gatehouse. "Step up to the gate."
On the other side of the gates, you can make out the stout figure of a man. A flowing red cape trails behind him, and a solid sword hangs at his belt, a blue light glowing from a gem in it's hilt. His face is made of square and stern features, and his eyes seem to pierce you as you stand there.
"I'm Guard Captain Blacklock. My men tell me you want to join the defense? Why? Who are you? What are you doing in Piren's Bluff?"
On the other side of the gates, you can make out the stout figure of a man. A flowing red cape trails behind him, and a solid sword hangs at his belt, a blue light glowing from a gem in it's hilt. His face is made of square and stern features, and his eyes seem to pierce you as you stand there.
"I'm Guard Captain Blacklock. My men tell me you want to join the defense? Why? Who are you? What are you doing in Piren's Bluff?"
" 'lo, Captain. My name's Jon Anthoni. This is Guligak and Red. We're in the soldiering trade you might say, mostly caravan guard duty. We've plenty of fighting experience.
"We brought in a small trader just as the Andoren's arrived.
and it looks like we're stuck here now. We can pay to stay at the inn, or pick up a little cash working here. We figured the baron would pay better than anyone else in town, except maybe the owner of the manor down the hill. So here we are.
"Are you looking for help?"
Guligak smiles, showing his cracked and broken teeth to the guard.
"I've been here almost one day already, and I haven't cut anyone's head off. My sword is getting restless. Maybe your boss can pay me, and I can cut off the heads of some Andorens, yes? Andoren heads are as good as any others. They all make the same sound when they hit the ground."
Whilst this conversation occurs Andrea pulls out a strip of pumice stone and starts filing her nails giving the impression of a bored camp follower (something she's quite adept at being at the moment a bored camp follower) whilst she does however she is paying close attention to the guards...finding a likely target she flirts shamelessly
Jon catches a glimpse of Andrea out of the corner of his eye and smiles ever so slightly. Perfect. She knows how to play a part.
He addresses Captain Blacklock again. "You can see my friend Guligak here is enthusiastic. You won't find a more devoted disciple of Gorum, a true son of battle. " Jon leans in closer, speaks softly. "Captain, your men seem a makeshift lot, and you must have your hands full. You need the help. We can train them. Put some backbone into them. What have you got to loose?"
"Calling them makeshift would be generous. We've had to gather most of these men and women from outlying farms. We got wind of an impending attack against us, and we had to move quickly." Blacklock directs your attention to a man standing on the wall. "He holds his spear like he's going to be tilling the ground. Most of these men haven't seen a real battle, a few are from our standing militia, but even fewer are seasoned fighters. Of course, they all have eyes and ears, right? That's as much an asset to us as their combat skills. We're stuck into a bit of a waiting game here. The Andoren army hasn't made a move yet. I don't know if they're going to try and wait us out or what, but we're certainly being cautious. We do need all the help we can get, and the pay is decent. Well, the pay is decent for them anyway. You look like you've seen enough battle to be standing where I am. No matter. Come inside, and we'll get your raiments sorted out, shall we?"
Rose simply nods at Blacklock's speech, and acquiesces to following him inside the garrison, only pausing to subtly whisper to Guligak and Jon; "Don't put your guard down. Not even for a second. I don't trust him."
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Head to the stables of the tavern.
"Come on Ka, let's get you some a nice place to sleep while they're out and about"
"Boy!"Pae shouts..."I need to stable my mount!"
after he arrives...
"feed him one of those bear steaks every day and there will be an extra gold in it for you"
I then return to the inn to arrange payment for the stabling
Thank you again my good man...
I then head to the kennels
"Hullo...Kennelmaster...I wish to check you stock!"
hopefully he'll show me around the kennels and I can look for the passage while I'm there....
Jon nods to acknowledge Rose's advice. Then marches in behind the captain.
Guligak is slightly disappointed that imminent mayhem wasn't mentioned by the guard, but he moves along in good humour as well.
Garrison;
Despite your concern and vigilance, the Captain makes no move or attempt to apprehend you. Whether or not he believes your story remains to be seen, but it is obvious that he needs your assistance at any rate.
He leads you through to the garrison, and a small weapons cache. You're each given a longspear and heavy crossbow, as well as a tabard to wear as a uniform. You've seen this same tabard on each of the other guards posted around town; a blood red and deep black affair with a murder of ravens. Baron Vendikon's personal coat of arms.
"Now I'll need each of you to lead a group of your own. We've not got enough men to go around without fatiguing them all on the first day. You're going to be taking shifts on the outermost town wall. I'll need you to keep an eye on any movements in the Andoren army. They haven't made a move yet, but if they do, it'll be from one of three sides. With the mountain at our back here, they don't have a choice. I'll split the watch into three points. Rose, you'll be on the western-most point, Jon, you take east. Guligak, you're on mid-point. We move clockwise each day, to the next point. I'll ask you to be there for sundown, and stay until sunup. If you see something, cause a scene and I'll have all the forces of the hells down here in a flash. Any questions?"
Shenk's dog yard;
The boy attends to Ka as well as he can, though he is visibly shaken by the idea of handling such a strange animal.
Heading back to the dogyard alone, the dogs stir up a bit of a noise anyway, and the man you assume is Shenk sticks his head out of the lone shack on the property. He yells at the mastiffs, and that's all that's needed to calm them down. "Sorry about that. That big one's just had a litter, and she's being a little strange. Over-protective ya see. Can I help you?" Tweiford is a wiry man with a heavy lantern jaw and dark, close-cropped hair.
The Conqueror's Blade;
Not far from you is a tavern called 'The Conqueror's Blade'. There's a number of guards flowing in and out of the place; it's obviously the local watering hole for thirsty militia men.
A lone guard, his uniform removed and draped lazily across his shoulder is urinating on the side of the building. When he finishes, he lights a dirty smelling cigarette and catches your eye contact and flirtatious advance.
"Hey baby, I just got my day's wages. I'll give it to ya, and all you've gotta do is spend some time with me. Easy money. I could use a gal like you hangin' around. We'll have a fun night, for sure."
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Shenk's dog yard;
The boy attends to Ka as well as he can, though he is visibly shaken by the idea of handling such a strange animal.
Heading back to the dogyard alone, the dogs stir up a bit of a noise anyway, and the man you assume is Shenk sticks his head out of the lone shack on the property. He yells at the mastiffs, and that's all that's needed to calm them down. "Sorry about that. That big one's just had a litter, and she's being a little strange. Over-protective ya see. Can I help you?" Tweiford is a wiry man with a heavy lantern jaw and dark, close-cropped hair.
"I might be interested in purchasing some animals from you, might I have a look around to see them?"
Shenk's Dog Yard;
"Sure, I guess. What kinda beast are you looking for? I deal mostly in the rough and ready kind. Good solid guard dogs, you know? But I've got a few prize sniffers myself. The Baron himself buys most of them off me. Uses them to guard his place 'gainst intruders. Most of my dogs are gone, actually. He's my main buyer, for sure."
Shenk shows you around the kennels, containing mostly a few young mastiffs and the bigger b+!!! with her new litter. There are four mean looking adult dogs that patrol the yard proper. They spend a lot of time sniffing you, and more than once Shenk has to order them off. The smell of Ka on you is making them really anxious.
"Are you a dog person, Mr....?"
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Bows lows "Pae, at your service, tomb-explorer, society member, and indeed I have an exotic riding dog from Sothis."
Continues to look around the kennel looking for the entrance into the Castle tunnels, most likely nearest the walls, any "unused" kennel that appear to have not had an animal in them recently?
Garrison;
He leads you through to the garrison, and a small weapons cache. You're each given a longspear and heavy crossbow, as well as a tabard to wear as a uniform. You've seen this same tabard on each of the other guards posted around town; a blood red and deep black affair with a murder of ravens. Baron Vendikon's personal coat of arms.
"Now I'll need each of you to lead a group of your own. We've not got enough men to go around without fatiguing them all on the first day. You're going to be taking shifts on the outermost town wall. I'll need you to keep an eye on any movements in the Andoren army. They haven't made a move yet, but if they do, it'll be from one of three sides. With the mountain at our back here, they don't have a choice. I'll split the watch into three points. Rose, you'll be on the western-most point, Jon, you take east. Guligak, you're on mid-point. We move clockwise each day, to the next point. I'll ask you to be there for sundown, and stay until sunup. If you see something, cause a scene and I'll have all the forces of the hells down here in a flash. Any questions?"
Damn, Red was right. He wants to stick us on the walls. Wish Pae was here to grease the skids.
After eyeing the tabards and gear, Jon clears his throat. "Ahh, Captain, I think you've misunderstood our offer. We're fighting professionals. Put us on guard duty and all you've gained is a good pair of eyes on each wall. Let us train the men and the value of your whole force goes up. Besides we haven't really discussed wages."
The Conqueror's Blade;
Not far from you is a tavern called 'The Conqueror's Blade'. There's a number of guards flowing in and out of the place; it's obviously the local watering hole for thirsty militia men.
A lone guard, his uniform removed and draped lazily across his shoulder is urinating on the side of the building. When he finishes, he lights a dirty smelling cigarette and catches your eye contact and flirtatious advance.
"Hey baby, I just got my day's wages. I'll give it to ya, and all you've gotta do is spend some time with me. Easy money. I could use a gal like you hangin' around. We'll have a fun night, for sure."
watching the others move into the castle and knowing she wont be permitted entrance Andrea tuens towards the voice...he's what she has become used to over her time in the oldest profession..unshaved unwashed and stinking of drink...she gets that familiar sinking feeling inside as he appraises her
"A days wages is it..and how much would that be darlin'"
"Besides we haven't really discussed wages."
"Yeah," growls Guligak, "I'm not going to be paid to be a walking target for cowardly archers!"
Shenk's Dog Yard;
"Exotic riding dog, eh? That explains why my boys here won't leave you alone. You don't seem to mind, so there ain't nothin' to worry about. While they may not trust ya, these hounds won't make a move unless I tell 'em to."
Shenk lets you look around the place a bit more, and investigate the kennels. It's not a terribly big yard, and there as many full kennels as there are empty ones. It's not easy to tell which ones are used and which ones aren't, as none of them are particularly well-kept. Some of the dens appear unmarked, but others are given more attention. One particular kennel has the name 'Daisy' carved in a childlike script above it, with a particularly chubby mastiff sleeping inside.
"Bumbo's work, there. That's his favourite dog. I think he fattens the b!itch up so she won't sell. But what can you do? He's taken to that old girl. Do you see anything you like? What kinda dog are you lookin' fer?"
The Conqueror's Blade;
"A whole silver.", he says proudly, flipping it to Andrea. If she takes even a moment to inspect it, she'll notice that it's of recent Chelish mint.
"Come with me inside, I've got a drink I need to get back to." Placing his hands on her arm, he pulls Andrea inside of the rowdy bar.
About two dozen guards lounge around the bar, a number of them with women at their sides. Several games of cards and dice are going on. Three shrew-like woman mill about the bar, serving customers. They whisper to each other and point in your direction when you come in the door, but otherwise ignore you.
A greasy rat of a man is working behind the bar, whistling a horrible song. His thinning black hair is greased back with some kind of sick-smelling wax, and he's overdressed in what appears to be Chelaxian court-garb that has long gone out of fashion.
When the drunken soldier sits you down with him, his whole table erupts in a chorus of cat-calls. "Where did you rope that one in, I wonder?" one man calls out. "How are you gonna afford her?" calls another. Dagger-filled glances are all you receive from the other women seated at the table, or on the laps of the soldiers.
Garrison;
"Across the board, the standard wage for a basic soldier is a silver a day. Given your experience and stature, we're prepared to offer you ten times that amount. It still may not seem like a fortune to you, but we're not asking much. And we're certainly not asking you to stick your head over the battlements to get it shot off. Keep the men in line, keep their senses sharp, and raise hell if you see anything. That's a hell of good job if you ask me. I know you'd rather get down to the nitty-gritty of it all, but I need you on the walls tonight."
Captain Blacklock's chest rises and falls, and he seems to be processing everything you're saying. "Please understand, that I need to be able to trust you. And so do these men. This is a good opportunity to earn that trust. When the men see your leadership out there, they'll feel it in here", he says, putting a hand on his chest in military salute. "The best soldiers get the best pay, and the best positions. Do well, and you'll move up in no time. The baron has special rewards for the men and women he trusts."
Garrison;
"We are indeed newcomers here, so I understand your hesitation. I'm sure we'll make an example for all of the soldiers tonight." Rose says, with a wink to Jon and Guligak.
Shenk's Dog Yard;
"Well, I've got a few tough brutes here that I could let go for twenty five gold pieces each. Please don't take this the wrong way, sir, but I've got a couple dogs that are a comfortable and steady mount for someone such as yourself. They're a bit more costly, but they're a might bit brighter than the others. It takes a sharp one to teach 'em the kind of tricks necessary to ride in battle. I've got a deal worked out with Terron too, and I can offer you a fair price for a saddle. A ridin' dog and a saddle for a cool one-fifty?"
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Shenk's Dog Yard;
"Well, I've got a few tough brutes here that I could let go for twenty five gold pieces each. Please don't take this the wrong way, sir, but I've got a couple dogs that are a comfortable and steady mount for someone such as yourself. They're a bit more costly, but they're a might bit brighter than the others. It takes a sharp one to teach 'em the kind of tricks necessary to ride in battle. I've got a deal worked out with Terron too, and I can offer you a fair price for a saddle. A ridin' dog and a saddle for a cool one-fifty?"
"Bumbo is the fellow in the Yellow cloak?" "What's his story?"
"I would not need a riding animal... I have Ka, my jackal from the deserts of Osirion."
"Now how well would these animals behave with my current animal?"
Shenk's Dog Yard;
"Bumbo? Bumbo's the half-wit nephew of the Baron. Understandably, he's a source of embarrassment. The Baron asked me to take him on as an assistant, and I can certainly understand why. Sometimes he's more trouble than he's worth. I usually let him wander around the town, spending the small allowance the Baron gives him. Unless I really need an extra pair of hands, I leave him be for the same reason the Baron sent him here: to get him out of my hair! Most o' the other villagers are kind enough to him. It takes a mean kinda person to pick on a man who'll never be anything more than a boy."
Shenk absent-mindedly plays with the string of something that he keeps tied around his neck and under his shirt. "As for the dogs, you can see right here how they are with other dogs. Sure, any dog you pick up here is gonna need some adjusting time, but he'll get along with your beast just fine. That's the way I trained 'em. See any that you like? What about this boy over here? He's just over a year old, and look how big he is. You can tell from his paws that he's not done growin' neither. A real strong pup here."
Garrison;
"Across the board, the standard wage for a basic soldier is a silver a day. Given your experience and stature, we're prepared to offer you ten times that amount. ... , but I need you on the walls tonight."
"Please understand, that I need to be able to trust you. And so do these men. This is a good opportunity to earn that trust. ... Do well, and you'll move up in no time. The baron has special rewards for the men and women he trusts."
"We are indeed newcomers here, so I understand your hesitation. I'm sure we'll make an example for all of the soldiers tonight." Rose says, with a wink to Jon and Guligak.
"Well, I see your point, Captain, but its not quite the payscale and not quite the job we usually take on. "May I have a moment with my partners?"
IF BLACKLOCK LETS US HUDDLE:
Shenk's Dog Yard;
"This is Duke, but you can call him whatever you want once you've paid for him. It makes no mind, he's attentive and obedient. That's how I train 'em here. Please do come back if you change your mind." Shenk says with a nod, leading you out of his compound through the gate. He locks it behind him, and goes into his shack, whistling.
Garrison;
"Speak all you want, but remember that you sought me out, not the other way around. You're dangerously close to wasting my time here."