Donata approaches the clerk. "Donata Petali. Weaponsmith. I plan on selling Minkai jade once the colony is established."
Perception:
after receiving the information from all of you, the clerk pulls out a from the back of her book 6 slips. your ship is the neversere. this ship leaves first thing in the morning. i have heard that the captain is loading up oxen and draft horses now, but isnt accepting passengers until daylight. we are only 4 miles south of magnimar, so if there is anything you need, please get it now. the captain has informed me that he has food for his crew only, so you must bring your own. Please dont be late, as it is a very long walk to brinewall.
"Those damn Chelaxians. I'd wager that fellow over there is a Varisian who did nothing wrong but look at one of their precious nobles wrong!"
He catches himself realizing that some of his new traveling mates are Chelaxian and he himself was just professing working together...
"Eh, I guess they're running the show so we need to play by their rules. Not my problem anyways, I know enough to steer clear of those bluebloods... I'm heading to town for a load of food and some supplies. I haven't found a land yet where I couldn't find my own fare, but better safe than sorry I guess."
Since we're traveling togethere and it sounds like we're going to responsible for our own supplies, let's plan out what we're going to need.
I haven't picked up food yet, but now that we know what ship we're traveling on, let's get plans together.
I have a storage chest with my gear and a 2 person tent. How about you?
And do we want to stay together tonight so we can all be ready tomorrow for boarding?
spoken more softly, and after the organizer has left,
That man over there was just with the expedition leader.
It might benefit us if we find out what he went thru and why he's been discarded.
At the least, we'll have a better idea of the type of man in charge of the trip.
Jacek has been rather obviously (and obliviously) watching a red head at the next post instead of paying attention to the people at his own.
"Huh, I'm sorry, who was discarded? In the mud over there? One of my country men, by the cut of his suit. Allow me, gentlemen."
Jacek walks over to the body in the mud and nudges it with the toe of his boot. "Ho, there. Are you alive?"
The figure rolls easily onto his back.
You can see now that he is wearing a Chelaxian uniform.
You also see that some one has given him quite a beating. The left eye is swollen closed and the other sports a nasty cut across the eyebrow. The lips are split and bleeding and there is a second cut on the right temple.
More importantly though there seems to be a flat handled knife sunk deeply into his left shoulder. It's hard to tell without removing it but it looks something like a throwing knife. The wound is still bleeding but not so heavily as to be immediately life threatening.
He appears not to have been robbed as there is a dagger sheathed at his belt and he wears 2 full belt pouches.
A flicker of movement draws your attention back to the face. The right eye is opened but there is nothing to see. Only blackness where there should be an eye. Over the space of a heartbeat a normal blue eye seems to surface as if from a black liquid. The blue eye regards you, and the split and swollen lips curve into a smile.
The badly beaten man appears to be quietly laughing.
"Greetings friend, fine weather we're having today."
"Greetings friend, fine weather we're having today."
Jacek squelches the shock at seeing the man's eye, then offers him an arm to help him up. Nodding at the the knife in his shoulder, he says, "You seem to have found a storm, though. Which family am I offending by helping you to your feet?"
Taking the offered hand the beaten man climbs carefully to his feet.
"Thank you, thank you." The figure makes a completely ineffective effort to clean himself up. Seems to help him focus though.
"Oh! We have not been introduced. Quite shocking manners. Standards falling everywhere." <Wince>
"My name is Alfonso de Cailentia de Almontia de Thrune." "But don't worry I am beneath the contempt of the great and good if unfortunately not beneath their notice."
Alfonso carefully reaches into an inner pocket of his uniform jacket and removes a large handkerchief.
"Hold still a moment, old man. Frightful imposition I know but what else can one do in this situation?"
While babbling Alfonso wraps the cloth around the knife and on the word "situation" removes it with a sudden pull. There is more blood and the knife falls to the ground. Alfonso quickly presses the handkerchief to the wound.
"Ah much better." "Oh if you could grab that knife? Never know when you'll want something like that, and I'm not much for bending over at the moment." Alfonso says as he tests and flexes his left arm.
The knife is rather oddly shaped, with an ornate devil-head handle. It appears to be silver and is clearly very sharp.
"So tell me old man, what brings to this lovely rural oasis?"
We're assigned unit 393. I'm Pallo. Are you officially with the expedition or just being mugged here?
"Oh I am officially here. Much to the delight of my enemies and the consternation of my friends."
While he speaks Alfonse uses a second handkerchief to bind the first to the wound, rigging a makeshift sling in the process. You get the impression he has done this before
"There is a family connection between myself and the commander of this blood-drunk circus. And you know the old saying? You only hurt the ones you love? Well it's a bit of a family motto."
There that's better. He holds out his, slighty grubby, right hand.
"Sorry about the mess. Us city boys tend to go to pot in the rural districts."
"So you are in unit 393? What ship are you assigned to if that is not a state secret?"
"I doubt an official mugging hurts less than an unofficial one. Let me have a look at those wounds." Donata bends to examine the wound.
"Tell me, Alfonso, are you a good man?"
Arbot helps Jacek and Pallo pick the man up. He picks up the knife the man discards from his shoulder, wrapping it in a piece of cloth before returning it to the man.
"You sure seem to be comfortable with the beating and stabbing. Get that often? I wouldn't have expected a blue-blood like you to be used to this kind of treatment. I hear we're assigned to a ship called the neversere. Sounds like we'll have a grand time mingling with the herd animals on that one. At least we're not likely to starve is we end up in a shipwreck, right?
Oh by the way, a couple of us are planning on stopping by town before the departure tomorrow morning to pick up some supplies. Are you in need of anything? You don't seem to have much stored away for food for the long journey."
"I doubt an official mugging hurts less than an unofficial one. Let me have a look at those wounds." Donata bends to examine the wound.
"Tell me, Alfonso, are you a good man?"
"A good man? Well," (Ouch) "that's not really something one can say about oneself is it? I mean the well armored gentleman who left his fruit knife in such an odd location is numbered among the great and the good. And despite rumors to the contrary he is most likely a man."
"So you could say he is a 'good man'. At the same time you could say he is an inbred, vicious bully who has outlived his usefulness. I am almost sure that at least one of those statements are correct."
As for me, what can I say? I am my fathers son, but that tells you little and be not much more. Am I a good man? There are many who say that neither term applies to me, and they could provide evidence to back the claim. I think I am a good man but I also know how easy it is fool people so my testimony is suspect.
I can say however that I am in your debt.
I am Alfonso de Cailentia de Almontia de Thrune. A weed among the flowers of Cheliaxian nobility, a profound disgrace to my noble father's house and a tiny clean spot on the blood spattered escutcheon of the honorable House of Thrune, and your servant good lady.
Arbot helps Jacek and Pallo pick the man up. He picks up the knife the man discards from his shoulder, wrapping it in a piece of cloth before returning it to the man.
"You sure seem to be comfortable with the beating and stabbing. Get that often? I wouldn't have expected a blue-blood like you to be used to this kind of treatment. I hear we're assigned to a ship called the neversere. Sounds like we'll have a grand time mingling with the herd animals on that one. At least we're not likely to starve is we end up in a shipwreck, right?
Oh by the way, a couple of us are planning on stopping by town before the departure tomorrow morning to pick up some supplies. Are you in need of anything? You don't seem to have much stored away for food for the long journey."
"Thank you, must remember to return this some day." "One is never comfortable with a beating. Moved to transcendent rapture if that is your cup of tea, but never comfortable. "A great man once said that those who have learned how to die have learned ow not to be slaves. I guess my education is not yet complete."
"The Neversere you say?" "Why I am also to sail aboard that selfsame gilded swan." Here his voice drops into a sarcastic twang. "Imagine the coincidence."
"Thank you , I would love to join you on a shopping excursion. It has been years since I've seen the fair towers of Magimar. If the Pickled Goblin is still standing I would love to treat you all to a meal and some of Goblin Harry's homebrew."
Alfonse smiles. "After all, you helped me up, the least I can do is help you all fall down."
"Now then I'll just fetch some traveling funds and we can be off. I do request that we stop at the first decent bathhouse. I appear to be less than my usual dapper self."
"I too need to purchase provisions for the trip and get the rest of my gear from the inn where I've been staying. And I would hate to lose the opportunity to see the bar wench there one last time; she has huge..." Jacek's eyes flick to Donata guiltily, and his hands twist from sitting open in front of his chest to miming carrying mugs. "Er, tankards of ale."
Welcome aboard newcomer. I've been in such a position before;face down in the mud with a Chealxian knife in my back. And I'd rather be with the draft animals than with the finery and luxury, who do you think reavers will target? Let's be off into to town eh? I could use the provisions as well, too much to ask of our 'lords' to provide us with rations i suppose. Though a tavern would be nice too....
"I doubt an official mugging hurts less than an unofficial one. Let me have a look at those wounds." Donata bends to examine the wound.
"Tell me, Alfonso, are you a good man?"
"A good man? Well," (Ouch) "that's not really something one can say about oneself is it? ...
I am Alfonso de Cailentia de Almontia de Thrune. A weed among the flowers of Cheliaxian nobility, a profound disgrace to my noble father's house and a tiny clean spot on the blood spattered escutcheon of the honorable House of Thrune, and your servant good lady.
Donata laughs, "You turn a pretty phrase, Alfonso. And I think you might be a better man than you admit. Receive the blessing of the Eternal Rose, and remember 'handsome is as handsome does.'"
Donata laughs, "You turn a pretty phrase, Alfonso. And I think you might be a better man than you admit. Receive the blessing of the Eternal Rose, and remember 'handsome is as handsome does.'"
To Donata "'The words of kindness are more healing to a drooping heart than balm or honey.' Might I know your name fair lady? Else how will I have hosannas sung in its honor?"
With the swelling down you can see the laughter in Alfonso's eye."Dear lady you keep doing that and I am like to become very good indeed."
To Jacek "Your words intrigue me old man. Lead us on to those fine upstanding tankards."
To Pallo "Well met friend. It is good to see someone not encased in steel though from the freshness of some of those burns mayhap you needed some." "Have you also come under the loving eye of our betters?"
To Arbot "Tell me good sir, you seem a man of this country. How is this little trip of ours seen by the locals? Are they not nervous to have so many of my devil worshiping brethren on their soil? Will our arrival in the hinterland be seen as an opportunity to sell clever native handicrafts to the foolish foreigners or will we find a longbow behind every blade of grass?"
To Lukas "If we have both shared the gentle caress of dear Cheliax then we must be brothers under the skin, or bruise as the case warrants. It is good to know you brother. And, a word, thee might be a few pearls midst the swine on the Neversese. But more on that later it appears we are being followed." With a tilt of his head Alfonse indicated the silent armored figure of Daggard following relentlessly behind them.
"The men of this land are certainly unhappy with the arrival of the Cheliax horde, but I do not think they will oppose this expedition to the forsaken citadel. This place is the least of their worries... the brains from Cheliax were smart to enlist a few varisians for the expedition to garner some local support. Shows some willingness to work with us as equals or somesuch. I'm sure a lot of the locals will be keeping an eye on the Cheliaxian leadership to make sure they're not deviating from the plan. There's always paranoid extremists though..."
" There's always paranoid extremists though..."
"Speaking of paranoid extremists you should be aware that my dear uncle, may he be coated in rancid yak-spit for all eternity, considers this a doomed mission. Some one, most likely the pit fiend, is cleaning house and Brinewall is the dustbin.
Mind you that is just what the lord Commander told me between the fish course and the violence so take with a grain of antitoxin. As I am still breathing, he does not care if that story gets out. The poor fool thinks that he can scheme as well as the royal family. The fact that he is here should tell you what you need to know about that. Trust little of what he says.
He is a useful idiot with delusions of relevancy. Mind you that can describe me as well. So there you are.
There is another rumor running round the officers brothels that you might find interesting. Some folks see this expedition as a convenient way to start a war. The expidition will be destroyed and the few survivors will tell a well coached tale of Varisian treachery. Presto, it's like the everwar never stopped.
So let us eat drink and be merry! For tomorrow.....
To Lukas "If we have both shared the gentle caress of dear Cheliax then we must be brothers under the skin, or bruise as the case warrants. It is good to know you brother. And, a word, thee might be a few pearls midst the swine on the Neversese. But more on that later it appears we are being followed." With a tilt of his head Alfonse indicated the silent armored figure of Daggard following relentlessly behind them.
Aye though I believe him to be one of our companions. Lukas turns his head towards Daggard and shouts Come walk in the light with the rest of us! You're skulking like a Riddleport knifer, though they know to stay a few more paces behind their mark...
Arbot distorts his face is something that seems to be a very grim smile at Alfonso's warning.
"I would expect no less. If it comes to that, I swear that I will be the one personally tracking down those few survivors to ensure that the only story heard is the one of a brave Varisian contingent shrugging off a vile betrayal by the Chelaxians."
Lock , Simple 20g
[/ooc]
"The Just have reason to walk along in the Shadows as well..The Chain teaches us "one must understand the Dark to truely the Light"
"Well met....friend. Tell me are you assigned to the Neversere as well? Your armor might rust a bit with all the muck about."
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Per :This
The Symbol of the GodClaw is A spinning five-pointed iron star.
My armor would be: A breastplate with claw-like design, helm, and vambraces, worn over gray robes.
"I fear not the Elements, Torag will watch over and protect my armor, as long as I stay true to the Chain and Measure. Yes. I am also assigned to the Neversere. What Brings you on this Journey? You look to me as someone who would rather be drinking wine in comfort. Surely, you will find none of that here."
Donata follows the others, laughing and joking. "I hope the Never-ease is luckier than its name."
Know(local):
if Know (history) applies :
"I fear not the Elements, Torag will watch over and protect my armor, as long as I stay true to the Chain and Measure. Yes. I am also assigned to the Neversere. What Brings you on this Journey? You look to me as someone who would rather be drinking wine in comfort. Surely, you will find none of that here."
Ah well when you put it that way... give it time though, we'll create for ourselves a fine slice of land up north. Far better than what we have around here, not that would be too difficult of a task mind you.
To Lukas and Daggard. I don't doubt you could do it friend but I fear events will overtake our little candle in the northern wind. Somhow I do not think that I will be spending too much time in the far and frozen....and if I'm wrong, well wines can travel.
As to why I am here I happily volunteered for the greater glory of Hell, oops, I mean Cheliax of course. At least that is what it says on the paperwork, well what I presume it says as I have yet to actually see any of it. For all I know I am listed as entertainment or perhaps provisions. Knowing the predelictions of some of the seinior staff the two are fequently interchangable.
To Daggard "I may mistake the sublte signs but you appear to bear the gentle stamp of a Hellknight. I am unfamiliar with the specific order. There are soo many after all. My contact with the noble knights have mainly been with those who beat confessions out of people and those who burn the books that tell the truth about house Thurne."
"So tell me please, gentle knight, to what noble endevor are you dedicated? "
-Mage Armor (15 charges) 225 gp
Trail Rations
30 days 15 gp
packaging (?) +5 gp (crates, barrels, etc)
Meals, good
10 days 10 gp
Sacks (x5) 5 sp
Scrolls (1st level, 25 gp each)
Reduce Person
Enlarge Person
Expeditious Excavation
Touch of the Sea
Shield
Mount
Identify
True Strike
total 200gp
Supplies
scroll mat'ls (sufficient for 10 scrolls) 125 gp
mat'ls to scribe spells in spell book (10 spells) 100gp
Overall Cost
680 gp
5 sp
Previously Spent
229 gp
4 sp
6 cp
new total
909 gp
9 sp
6 cp
remaining 190 gp 4cp
Knowledge: Local:
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"I belong to the Order of the GodClaw. We are a More Religious sect of the Hellknights, We not only enforce our visions of law out of a sense of duty and grim necessity, We do so out of religious fervor and a belief that the world must forcibly be set upon a righteous path.
We no not Follow a Single Diety, but five: Iomedae and Torag, warriors of absolute Order, teaching us offense and Defense against Chaos, Irori, a Paragon of Emotionless Discipline, Abadar, the keeper of all laws, and Finally, Asmodeus the peerless strategist king.
From Citadel Dinyarm we spread our Motto Righteousness by Obedience Any other questions?"
"I belong to the Order of the GodClaw. We are a More Religious sect of the Hellknights, We not only enforce our visions of law out of a sense of duty and grim necessity, We do so out of religious fervor and a belief that the world must forcibly be set upon a righteous path.
We no not Follow a Single Diety, but five: Iomedae and Torag, warriors of absolute Order, teaching us offense and Defense against Chaos, Irori, a Paragon of Emotionless Discipline, Abadar, the keeper of all laws, and Finally, Asmodeus the peerless strategist king.
From Citadel Dinyarm we spread our Motto Righteousness by Obedience Any other questions?"
"None at all my chain-bound companion. <chuckles> None. at. all. Just testing the ground so to speak. No doubt you have a shining future of service ahead of you."
"I belong to the Order of the GodClaw. We are a More Religious sect of the Hellknights, We not only enforce our visions of law out of a sense of duty and grim necessity, We do so out of religious fervor and a belief that the world must forcibly be set upon a righteous path.
We no not Follow a Single Diety, but five: Iomedae and Torag, warriors of absolute Order, teaching us offense and Defense against Chaos, Irori, a Paragon of Emotionless Discipline, Abadar, the keeper of all laws, and Finally, Asmodeus the peerless strategist king.
From Citadel Dinyarm we spread our Motto Righteousness by Obedience Any other questions?"
Lukas whistles Fancy; what happens when say someone does not wish to be obedient or 'righteous'? I say every man should lead his own path and, Desna willing, the road will lead you where you need to go.