After your farewells the three of you board the back of the Wagon, the cover rolled back to reveal to any watching eyes that it holds a variety of building tools, sledge hammers, winches, long plank saws, chisels, stone block sledges and a whole host of other unusual shapped implements that you can only dream of a use for.
Ol'Jonas takes the reins, while Liam sits besides him crossbow in his lap, with a creak and rumble the wagon lurches forward, the four draft horses easily pulling the weight of the mostly empty wagon.
The first day passes uneventfully and you find yourselves arriving at a small walled waystation by dusk. The building has a 9 foot tall pallisade built around a large central wooden building with a few out buildings near by. Ol'Jonas explains that this is the 'Hussey Arms' a inn where merchants can stay in reletive safety over night, he also warns that prices are steep, so you may want to watch what you spend. It is also a good place to get information on the road ahead, Hommlet is only another 2 days aways.
The large gates swing open and you are ammited in by two wirey guards who are friendly enough. Ol'Jonas points you in the direction of the inn and says he will take first watch over the wagon while the horses are stabled and Liam will take second. He also explains, while rooms are available, their is no real reason not to sleep in the wagon.
The large wooden inn stands before you, large yellow painted wooden carved letters attached to the eaves spell out 'The Hus ey A ms', there appears to be no sign of where the missing S and R have gone. The sound of rousing singing and the humdrum of conversations spill from its interier and the orange glow of fire light calls to you from behind the main door and shuttered windows.
Time to pull up my hood, and hope that we can get booked into a room without too much trouble. I don't mind people avoiding me if they haven't really met our kind but I don't want to cause unnecessary trouble for my companions or myself.
A warm meal, decent drink and a hot bath would just about be my idea of the best place on earth right now!
ill grab my stuff from the back of the cart before saying to tionan and maliuss ill see if i can get us a room if you dont mind sharing, i have a few coins left and the thought of a warm fire a hot meal and a cold beer sounds very appealing right now, ill then head over to the inn door and open it and go in.
whilst im all for the food and drink, I dont see the need to be wasting coin on a room, as Jonas has said we can use the wagon. However, its your coin, your choice.
With that i will hop off the wagon and wander off into the pub. I will leave my pack, bow and shield in the wagon. After a few moments of thought.
but thankyou for the offer Ulgath, it is appreciated if not needed. Here let me get the first round of drinks for my new companions...
Open door to Tavern....
Archard pulls his hood up to conceal his heritage and falls in behind Ulgath and Tionan as they approach the inn door. The sound of merryment increases in volume. Tionan grasps the sturdy door handle and pushes the thick solid door open, suddenly warmth, orange light, sounds and scents assault your sences.
The room beyond is large, perhaps 30 feet deep by 40 feet wide, the vaulted ceiling some 25 feet up is supported by dual rows of fixed pilars, beams and tressles. 6 huge wooden wagon wheel like candle holders hang from the ceiling, each containing at least a dozen thick talow candles, bathing the inns interior with light. The left hand wall is dominated by a huge stone fireplace, the flames flickering and licking over the large logs it is consuming. A large bar runs the most of the width far wall, many large casks sit on the rear shelf as well as several collections of jugs, jars and bottles of more potent alcohol.
A large table runs down the width of the room between the two rows of pillars, with several large benchs supplying seating. Several smaller tables dot the permiter of the room, providing more private drinking and dining. A set of swing doors to the left of the bar give access to a busy kitchen and a door in the right hand wall obviously leads to the sleeping hall annex.
The whole room smells of a strange mixture of stale beer, unwashed bodies and food, a strangly not unpleasant smell.
Many of the tables are occupied, but there is room for you on the main table and a few of the satalite tables are also empty. The room contains at least four dozen guards, merchants and teamsters all busy drinking, eating and relaxing.
One of a dozen serving wenches diverts in your direction, she swishes her child bearing hips as she approaches, your eyes are drawn to her ample bossom, the cleavage like a canyon between two hills of pink flesh, well before you notice her freckled face framed in curly brown hair. Her apron is stained with a dollop of fresh gravy amongst other less identifiable detris. "Alrigh' m'darlings," she practically purrs at Tionan, "wot can I b'gettin, you fine gents?" she smiles, showing remarkably white teeth, indicating she can not be much older than 20. "Quite table by t'fire, drink n food? Or wud ya like to join the party at the main table?" She gestures towards an empty table in the corner on your immediate left or a space not to distant from it on the bench. You guess she works that section of the floor.
As the serving wench speaks a cheer goes up from a table on the right of the room as a strapping man wins an arm wrestle agains an especially broad knecked dwarf. At the same time another of the serving wenches pours a beer down the front of a lecherous guard wetting his groin and bringing good natured banter from his companions as he leaps unsuccesfully to his feet and stumbles over the back of the bench where he lies laughting at his own clubsiness.
im guessing at the fact maliuss has hidden his face within the shadows of his hood he would be more comfortable at a quiet table by the fire. ill say to the serving wench a quiet table by t'fire would be great as would some hot food and a drink. And who do i see to get a room for the night for us ill smile as much to my self as i do at the serving wench for using her term t'fire. as we are led towards the table ill nod and say hello to anyone who even looks in our direction.
I'll smile back to the serving wench and simply say I believe my companion has summed up out needs quite nicely, could i just ask for some wine, mulled if available, it has been a long an rainsodden road I will then fall in behind ulgath to wherever we are led.
Thus I will cast a watchful eye over the other occupants of the tavern, taking special notice of anyone watching out enterence with undue special attention. I will do my best to do this as discretely as possible.
Perception +7 +2 vs Humans and there subraces
im guessing at the fact maliuss has hidden his face within the shadows of his hood he would be more comfortable at a quiet table by the fire. ill say to the serving wench a quiet table by t'fire would be great as would some hot food and a drink. And who do i see to get a room for the night for us ill smile as much to my self as i do at the serving wench for using her term t'fire. as we are led towards the table ill nod and say hello to anyone who even looks in our direction.
Thank you for your consideration. I will look to Ulgath, okay so I am warming up to him... I shall check my coin to see if I can assist payment. I like the human bars, they always have a warmth to them that encourages anyone to relax for the most part.
im guessing at the fact maliuss has hidden his face within the shadows of his hood he would be more comfortable at a quiet table by the fire. ill say to the serving wench a quiet table by t'fire would be great as would some hot food and a drink. And who do i see to get a room for the night for us ill smile as much to my self as i do at the serving wench for using her term t'fire. as we are led towards the table ill nod and say hello to anyone who even looks in our direction.
The barmaid smiles as she explains the costs of food and a room, "sorry t'say we only have a merchants room left, it 'as a double bed in it, an we could put in a cot bed so it sleeps three. But thay are nay cheep, it will cost ya 5 gold for da room, but that does include all your meals, and stablin costs." She tries her best to look appologetic, but she seems to have an infectous smile and her bosum continues to jiggle as she talks, almost if they are trying to escape. "I'll fetch your drinks, why you good men 'ave are decidin." She heads off to the bar with your orders.
No one seems to have paid any particular notice of your arrival as far as you can all see through the crowds and the bar appears good natured.
I will go into my beltpouch, produce 5 gold coins and hand them over to the barmaid with an awkward smile.
thats just fine, there will be no need to go to extra lenght and move the cot, the room will be fine as it is. Thank you
as we sit down waiting for our drinks and food to come ill say to tionan with a big tusky grin. thanks for paying i did not realise that we had to buy the room for a week i thought we could just rent it for the night.it is very expensive here and i can see why people sleep in their carts.
Its not a problem really, money has not motivated me for a long time. As long as we are safe and our bellies fed, it will be money well spent
I will then turn to Malliuss you seem quite distracted, is it your leg? the the rench from leaving your home?
I'll take a seat, smile softly as I set my bag down and look around. When Tionan asks me I look to him instead.
Well to be honest leaving home bothers me little, I was not part of it for so long. I'm already a little eccentric for my race having married a human... though I am hoping my daughter is okay. I take a sigh, it's not often I tend to worry about her nowadays but I hope she stays home and safe with the community. My leg is annoyingly painful though hopefully clean water and a good look at it in the fresh light might assist me in seeing how bad it is, though I can tell you know since my magic didn't heal it up I believe there is some measure of permanent damage.
As you talk the barmaid returns with your drinks and a young lad to take any of your gear to your room for you. She informs you "Ta food will be right here m'lovlies," as she turns and heads off to the next table.
True to her word a relative feast of food starts wending its way over to your table. A whole chicken on a skewer for each of you, a huge jug of gravy and several brown clay bowls full of carrots, spinach, baked potatoes, beans and sprouts to share. Two large whole meal loaves are the last to arrive.
At this point Ol'Jonas and Liam enter the inn and stand in the entrance way looking around. A serving wench starts heading in their direction.
I'm sure once we have feasted, we can take a look at your leg in our room, although i conceed that there will be some permenant damage sadly. I can't tell you how much I dislike that form of hunting, it takes all skill out of the art and too many acciedents prone to happen, as we have seen
When I spot Ol'Jonas and Liam, I will attempt to gain there attention and direct them to our table before turning my attention to Ulgath.
Tell me Ulgath, what do you know about our destination and its current problems. You mentioned Bandits? And also, if you permit me to ask, Why are you going there?
I'll nod and look around, tuck into the food and relax as best I can. It's nice to meet new faces at least and no one got far staying bitter about everything all the time!
Do I look half starved? grinning, there's loads to eat. This is a bit much for me but hey it's good and warm. I will take a look around the bar, trying to soak in the information of the place. Nice to have a clue about my surroundings if I am likely to be sleeping in the building. Okay Tionan, I admit I was pretty angry and the pain made my temper worse, but yes Trapping is lowly and especially in those parts. It might have been one of our kids then no force on earth would have had me stopped me joining their hunt, my daughter isn't an animal to be left like that, and really, neither am I.
My voice remains calm and soft but I hope they understand, I am not meek and placid I am merely less zealout about my approach to things than many might expect.
The food is tasty although a little over done, Ulgath eats in silence, breaking his fast with gusto.
The patrons around you continue their carousing and you are sure there will be many sore heads in the morning.
at the question from tionan ill look up from the food that i have been devouring and say "i have been told hommlet is a nice friendly place,my father suggested it may be a good place to stay. there is also a priest who is a friend of my fathers who im going to see." Ill take another bite of the chicken im holding before adding " And as for why im going, im a fighting man albeit a man of the cloth and its my duty to protect the week and bring the bandits to justice" ill take another big bite out of my food before looking up a bit sheepishly and saying " sorry it takes a lot of food to fill a frame this big" then ill flex my muscles and grin.
I will smile politly back at Ulgath. "Your friend will be associated to the new church there then, to st cuthbert. It is rumoured that your order are not just fighting bandits there" I will allow a brief pause before continuing "Im sure we shall see for ourselves"
Dm only:
Well the hospitality of Hommlett has alot to live up to, the meal here is an excellent respite from the elements
" well you know more than me it seems tionan" ill say with a smile. "who know`s what the gods have planned for us or what our futures hold, you know they move in mysterious ways"ill then stand up saying " excuse me gentlemen I thought I saw some of the locals arm wrestling when we came in and im gonna see if I can join em with that said ill head out into the throng of residents.
Ulgath;
You walk over to the crowd who are arm wrestling, a couple of them goad you and comment that you'll never beat the champ Big Ern. He is a bald tattooed fellow with no neck to speak of and arms like tree trunks.
If you decide to take on Big Ern make 7 Strength checks. After the 3rd Roll start subtracting 1 from each roll, 2 from the second, 3rd ect... (your Constitution decides this).
Tionan and Malius;
The food is indeed nice and the atmosphere although a little crass and rowdy is pleasant enough.
Tionan:
Sense Motive +2
After a few breif moments watching him, I will briefly close my eyes and focus specifically on his voice, as to draw up and summon any patricular memories of the man, name, or specific events from our past. I will then do my best to keep an eye on him, whilst not drawing attention to myself. I dont want him to spot me, just in case he remembers me.
I will do my best to shuffle to a position which is advantagous to achieve this.
Gambling and arm wrestling, two things of completely no interest to me. Fantastic! Right well I am going to make a mental list of things I will need in town. Good job I had some basics with me from travelling but I always like to plan ahead. That and it should distract me from the pointless task of spending money on things I am likely to loose. When will these human's learn, there's always someone ready to beat you for your cash!
ill sit down infront of big ern put my silver in the pot before saying "ok big ern lets see what you got" ill give him a good view of my tusks as i grin at him before putting my elbow on the table.
Strength check
strength check
strength check
strength check
strength check
strength check
strength check
Big Ern grins back at you, "What did your mother feed you on?" he asks in genuine awe of your fitness.
Opposed Strength checks, first person to have a clear 3 point margin wins, or who ever is ahead by the last roll.
Strength Check:
Strength Check:
Strength Check:
Strength Check:
Strength Check:
Strength Check:
Strength Check:
The battle is one sided, Ulgath grabs Big Erns hand and in one slow methodical move pushes it flat to the table. Big Ern releases his grip and rubs his biceps. The crowd, many who had bet on you whoop and clap, a few sprays of beer cover the crowd.
They are a good humoured bunch and you are crowned as the new champion. No one else dares take you on after your ruthless destruction of the reigning champ.
Tionan,
Intelligence check please to recall who he is.
I will scratch my head as if struggling to remember something from my long repressed and buried past.
Intelligence Check
Tionan:
ill spend the rest of the evening talking to the residents and having a few drinks, ill ask around for news from hommlet and the surrounding area.
Diplomacy roll
I will keep a watchful eye on this individual that I recognise and also with anyone he seems familiar with for a few minutes.
As I do not get any particular sense of any bad history between us, he may well have some useful information for us.
I will get up and head over to the main serveing area asking for a drink, I will do so in a way that this familiar face will no doubt spot me.
Before I go, I will lean in closely to Maliuss and whisper:
I'm heading to the bar, keep an eye out on the gentleman yonder, and discreetly gesture to the individual in question
I will then get up and head off to the bar.
Not too sure why I am gesturing to the man but hey, Tionan seems to have something in mind. Once he's gone to the bar I will try and find a convenient, naturalish moment to nod to this chap.
I will not to Tionan, I am going to wait to see if he needs me to do anything.
Tionan heads to the bar walking straight past the man he has indicated to Maliuss. The man either does not recognise Tionan or if he does he has a good poker face and continues to talk the current caravan guards he is leaning over and conversing with.
You catch a small part of the conversation as you pass, the man is chatting about the caravan he is guarding that is heading to Zantac and has just inquired where the other guards are heading.
Tionan, you reach the bar, which has several customers leaning against it talking to the inn keeper. None of them look up as you approach, but a bar maid starts moving in your direction smiling.
Over in the corner Big Ern and Ulgath are amongst a crowd watching two other men attempt a yard of ale race, most of the beer is going down their chin rather than down the throats.
My total cynisium for human nature comes flooding to the surface, and my instincts tell me that he is up to no good.
I will sweetly smile to the barmaid and order a drink for myself and Maliuss (goblets of wine) before heading over to Ulgath, without even a look towards my suspicious aquantance.
Smiling as I approach. I will say quietly to UlgathMay Maliuss and I have a word with you. I apologise for interupping your fun, but it could be quite important
With that I will wander back to Maliuss and hand him one of the drinks.
Anything?
Your instincts are probably correct, if anything you think he is probably casing caravans so he can work out the best target to rob. Considering the caravans tend to be heavily guarded these days, lone highway men are a thing of the past. So if this is the case (and he is not just being sociable) then he is part of a bigger group and he is the spotter for them. You doubt the whole group is here, maybe just enough to pretend to be caravans.
He still does not react to your presence, so maybe he does not recognise you.
ill excuse my self from big ern and go over and sit with tionan and maliuss before saying to tionan " whats the problem, you sounded a little concerned" ill then have a quick scan of the room just incase there is any immediate threat.
I don't like the look of the man at any rate so I am assured you feel as suspicious as I do. I will nod to them both. now do you have any plans on how to ensure the suspicions are correct?
As quietly as is possible without making it diffuclt to hear I will say.
Allow me to explain, I know him; well I know "of" him. He is a Highwayman and the last time I saw him was in Nulb some years back, Sadly I cannot remember his name, nor does it look like he remembers me.
I will allow a few moments for that information to settle in...
With most caravans these day's travelling under guard, I would suggest he is here looking for the richest and easiest pickings and he is working for a larger group of cutthroats and bandits... It is unlikely also that he has come here alone, there may be others, keeping an eye on him, looking out for trouble.
Perception Checks Visual please for all of you. You can add your Human bonus Tionan.
Perception +9
Perception
sorry for the delay
perception
Mallius:
While neither of your companions have noticed, you catch a hand gesture from the man you study to another table, which is acknowledged by a subtle nod of the head.
It would appear that the suspected highway man has at least two accomplices in the bar. They are obviously human and look like your typical caravan guards, with nothing to distinguish them from the crowd.
I will politely nudge Tionan beside me and whisper look lively he has friends, I think they may start trouble. Warn Ulgath if you can... I can't really say it aloud. I think doing that will be obvious. Hopefully Ulgath can be warned by one of us as I suspect he will have one brutish swing on him if needs be.
I will nod in acknowledgement before nudging Ulgath. Time for a spot of fresh air, all this stale ale is styfling the senses. Care to join me?
sure i could do with some fresh air as i stand up ill grab my gear and head outside. once we are out side ill say to tionan whats going on?
Maliuss has identified at least a couple of accomplaces in the tavern, there communicating it would appear with some sort of coded signals.
I will let out an audiable sigh
In the past I would simply ignore such men, there sins and concearns are there own. However, Im getting tired of people taking advantage and killing for nothing more than profit, and simply because its easier to kill a few traders that work for an existance off the land or earn there way as most common folk do
I will allow a few moments for Ulgath to take meaning from my words before continuing
The question is, what do we do from here on in....
No one pays you stepping outside any attention, inside the sound of merriment continues.
A few choices, feel free to dream up your own:
1) Ignore the men.
2) Tail the men and catch them red handed as they ambush a caravan.
3) intercept the 3 men after they leave but before they report back to the rest (if any) of their group.
4) Inform the caravan guards and caravan men inside the inn and let them take justice into their own hands.
5) Find out where the nearest law is and ride like the wind to find it and bring it back.
6) Inform the inn keeper and pray he is not involved.
I'll wait a few moments, then head outside to "check" on my new associates. I shall join them.
There is a small cartel, if it were me I would suggest we try and let a guard know, however if they are not too close we may have to consider our options. I for one cannot stand these types... nothing more then idiotic bullies.