The Northern Frontier - Fort Tulder (IC)

[Maxymiuk]

This is the IC thread - here you can act in character inbetween expeditions, share information about the Frontier, recount your accomplishments, etc. Remember, this is primarily your thread, so do what you want with it.

Fort Tulder
A relic of the time before the Unfinished War – situated in the fork of Ilvana and Vartva, this massive fortress still stands guard over the Altadian Empire. This was the rock that broke the initial elven assault, giving the imperial armies time to muster and drive the enemy back. Though laid siege to two more times in the span of the war, it never fell.

What may seem odd to most newcomers is that the fortress actually lies across the river from “empire proper” and in Frontier territory. Two massive bridges – one across Ilvana, the other spanning Vartva (a feat of magical engineering to rival the Emperor’s Palace in Osseron) – are its links to the civilized lands.

A full legion of imperial troops finds home within the fort’s walls, with room for at least twice that should the need arise. Currently, the fort also contains an inn, a blacksmith, and several merchants, drawn here by the recent influx of adventurers and explorers, offering to buy anything of value found in the Frontier, as well as import any specialized equipment not available in the fort.

Places/Persons

Primate Conell Harl – a human in charge of the forces in Fort Tulder. The man is in his late fifties, having served in the Church’s armies throughout most of the chaos following the Unfinished War. He has a no-nonsense attitude and doesn’t hide his disapproval for converting “his” fort into a hostel for what he calls looters and troublemakers.

“Blackhammer Forge”/Yselle Mervthorn – as odd as it may be to see a blacksmith ran by a Halfling, and a female at that, there’s no denying that Yselle knows her way around the anvil. Word has it she came to the Frontier all the way from Dansek looking for her brother, but after a few years of fruitless searching decided to settle down and put her prior training to use. In addition to the weapons and armor she makes herself, she receives regular shipments from leatherworkers and fletchers.

“Last Stop to Nowhere”/Evric Rudyard – the fort’s taphouse is ran by a half-elf who’s taken a derelict stable slated to be taken apart and converted it into a classy (at least considering the location) tavern. Cheap drinks and a pleasant atmosphere make it a popular spot for off-duty soldiers and the various explorers that come through the fort.

Marcus Greer – a human bard, making a living by playing evenings in Evric’s tavern. His real reason for presence in the fort appears to be to pester adventurers for tales of their exploits in the Frontier – material for the still-in-progress epic that is sure to earn him fame and fortune back in the Empire.

Olef Zeimen – a dwarven merchant who introduces himself as a representative of a number of collectors and connoisseurs of weapons and armor. He’s willing to buy armaments used during the Unfinished War, particularly those of elven make. Additionally, he claims to have contacts with the dwarven smiths in Verga, and consequently access to weapons and armor made of unusual alloys.

Della Toran – a human merchant specializing in art and jewelry. She’s willing to buy any gemstones, art pieces, and jewelry explorers may find in the Frontier.

Ester Vilize – the only merchant who’s been forced to set up shop outside the walls of Fort Tulder, across the Vartva. While he may insinuate (not too loudly, mind you) that it’s due to him being an elf, and the Primate’s dislike for his kind, the far more likely reason is that the goods he looks for are living beings – more specifically, the various magical beasts one may run into while traversing the Frontier. And while Primate Harl might be willing to let such (properly secured) creatures pass through the fort, he absolutely refuses to keep any where they may pose a danger to his troops. Ester’s stated reason for collecting such are his contacts with University Arcanum in Osseron and their studies on the effect of Frontier magic on the local fauna. He also sells magical items, though orders for such must be placed ahead of time, and may well take months before they’re created and shipped to Fort Tulder – many prefer to simply search the Frontier for what they need.

Jan Osborn - in his fifties, but still able to show an ornery stallion what's what, this human is Fort Tulder's stablemaster. His duties mean he has frequent contacts with livestock merchants, and is willing to arrange for animals to be brought it for Frontier explorers: dogs, horses, hunting birds, etc.

__________________________________________________ ______________


Excerp from "A Study on Culture of Altadian Provinces" by E. R. Wescon

A typical Frontier homestead or castle was built with defense in mind. A typical farm is a miniature fort, the house, the barn, the stable, and any storehouses arranged into a tight square with all the doors facing inward and any gaps walled off. There is only one entrance into the courtyard, usually through the stable, where the defenders in the loft can drop bad things onto any intruders that manage to breach the reinforced double door. The loft itself is inaccessible from the floor of the stable and connects to other buildings instead.
The buildings were made of stone – abundant in hill country – with the outward windows being no more than arrow slits. The roofs were slated and riddled with fireproof charms. Also, every farmstead had an array of various alarm and protection charms, as well as at least a single jinx to disrupt levitation magic and Grease traps to foul anyone trying to scale the walls.
The house itself was a fortress within a fortress. With no connections to other buildings, thick walls, iron-barred doors, and a cellar with a well and food stocks for at least three months, the family could retreat inside and continue holding off the attackers even if the outer defenses were breached.
The layout of the house wascentered around the large stove which provided heat, a means to cook a meal, and a warm place to sleep at night – a privilege frequently reserved for the oldest member of the family. The walls and floor were paneled with wood to keep the heat in during winter months. Around the stove clustered two to three rooms, including the kitchen. The attic served as a dry storeroom for grain and smoked meat. Floor space was reserved for chairs, tables, benches, and a craftsman's workshop (leatherworking, for example), so beds were made on a parapet jutting out from the wall above head height, accessed via ladders – while technically still a house without multiple floors, a Frontier homestead was somewhat taller than an average dwelling.
Village housing didn’t allow enough space for a full defensible homestead, so most peasants settled for the house only, placing the outbuildings farther out and counting on their neighbors to come to their rescue.

Nobility's castles in other parts of the continent were already dark, dismal, and dank places. Frontier fortresses were even more so, giving birth to the idiom "pale as a Northern noble" – it still survives among the modern gentry.
The elves' mastery of magical warfare and the human inventiveness in countering it has resulted in a new generation of defensive structures. Castles of the north were low, solid structures with most of the structure hidden underground, often carved into a solid bedrock to foil the easier forms of subterranean assault. What's above was entirely roofed as to prevent aerial attacks and reinforced against siege bombardment. The squat towers were riddled with arrow slits and the entire structure was plastered with every conceivable kind of magical protection to deflect arrows, catapult stones, fire, acid, and bolts of raw force. Dispelling and offensive jinxes were set to target anyone trying to force their way in and the scrambling charms within the structure ensure that a teleport assault would end up halfway through a wall.
The nobles owe their pallid features to whole lifetimes spent in underground halls illuminated only with torches or, for those with a bit more money, magelights. They'd go outside only in event of a crisis, and with elven snipers stalking the countryside it was surprising how many crises weren't very critical all of a sudden.
An average noble maintained as large an armed force as he could afford. Unlike the regular army, a noble's retinue consisted primarily of specialists: superbly trained fighters, reconnaissance and stealth combatants, and as many magic users as he could lay his hands on. They were trained in working as a squad, but also in making independent decisions, using advanced tactics, and hit-and-run warfare. These were most definitely not the typical collection of knuckle-bruisers that’d trip over their own halberds you’d find all over the southern of Altadia.
Also part of the noble's household was at least one wizard dedicated to the maintenance of the castle's magical wards, which did have the tendency to wear off or, worse yet, start bleeding into one another over time.

[Another_Poet]

Conall

Conall sets himself down heavily in the street, sitting against one of the low, solid buildings of the fort town. He had just brought himself across the Ilvana bridge and it had been a long road before that. He knew there was a warm hearth waiting for him somewhere in town, but that also meant big crowds. The human at the gate had been enough for the moment.

He feels the afternoon rain drizzling down his worn, stinking armour and as he raises a flask to his mouth with a creaking arm. After he takes the last sip of hooch he leaves the opened flask in his lap. Rain slowly dribbles into it.

It isn't long before a pair of soldiers - off-duty or on, he can't tell - appear from around a corner. The look they give him says they're wondering if he's a beggar. It also reminds him he better not let his guard down in this place.

Heaving himself to his feet, he heads toward a tavern sign hung from - an old stable? "Ush, this'll be good," he croaks to no one at all.

((Conall (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=76360), a dwarf with purplish hair, can be found sitting in complete silence beside the hearth of the Last Stop, ignoring most other people after a preliminary eyeing-you-up, eyeing-you-down when they first walk in.))

[thisisaspace]

Rufus arrives at Fort Tulder. He stands near the gate he passed and begins to take in his new home. Not for too long, mind you. The last thing he'd wanna do is to stand out.
He notices Fort Tulder is mainly populated by soldiers - as to be expected - and he wonders if they'd be as corrupt as the laws back where he came from. He's not sure if he'd like them to be or not. True, he hated them, but he also understood them. Not to mention, he imagines that he'd hate the idea of not having something he's opposed to just as much.
Without thinking, Rufus goes through his usual habit of staying near crowds and ducking in corners as he tries and find his accommodation. Old habits die hard. When he finally notices that he's sneaking, he reminds himself that he's not in a big city anymore. Soon everyone will know who he is, and he will know everyone else.

"The Last Stop to Nowhere." Rufus reads. He catches himself chuckling before entering the converted stable.
Once inside, he surveys the tavern and looks back at the bar patrons who whipped around to acknowledged his entrance, before returning to their own business. He also catches the purple-haired dwarf eyeing him. Rufus tries to not show his surprise and gave the dwarf a slight nod. Then he will approach Evric about lodging before heading out again to familiarize himself with Fort Tulder.

((Rufus bears an unremarkable set of leather armor and dressed in generic clothing. You may notice that he carries a couple of weapons with him, but they're coloured to blend with his attire. It's obvious that he's armed for stealth.))

[Maeryth]

Sitting alone at a table tucked in the tavern's corner, Calyn (http://www.thetangledweb.net/forums/profiler/view_char.php?cid=17434) (Cal-in) quietly reads a small leather bound book. The worn cover reads: "Elves of the World - A Human's Perspective".

The young half-elf finds it difficult to concentrate on the book today. The rain has driven people inside the tavern creating an influx of noise and hub. Calyn sighs, longing for the serenity of nature just for a moment. Her wandering eyes catch her reflection (http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g15/Kyoh_21/Mae2.png) in her glass of water. Calyn's long braided brown hair hangs out from under her tightly worn hat. The tacky broad-rimmed cap served to hide her pointed ears under, making her half-elf lineage less likely to be known. While she never hid the fact that she was indeed half elf, Calyn preferred fewer people to know of it. She was dressed casually this day, favoring a soft cotton tunic and breaches over her heavy leather armor.

Today was a relaxing day for Calyn. The soft afternoon rain was music to her ears, and she enjoyed spending time at the Last Stop to Nowhere, despite the crowd. Calyn noticed an odd looking dwarf enter, his hair a purplish hue. The dwarf piqued her interest, mostly because he was a dwarf and more so because of his hair. She was always fascinated by the diverse races and creatures of the world. He set himself down by the hearth, silently scrutinizing the others. When the two made eye contact, Calyn immediately looked back to her book, unconsciously tugging her ridiculous hat lower.

She berated herself silently for staring so hard, and concentrated on reading about the elves again...

[Another_Poet]

Conall runs a hand through his beard, happy to find no twigs or other nuisances caught in the hair. The woman with the hat had caught his attention. He kept his eyes on the hearth, but in his mind he wondered what she was up to. She hadn't looked at him the way most humans look at dwarves...

[thisisaspace]

Rufus strolls pass the bridge over Vartva river, between Fort Tulder and Ester Vilize's shop.
Of all the locals in Fort Tulder, Ester has to be one of the more interesting ones to Rufus. Not to say the rest are not interesting themselves.

"Afternoon, Mr. Vilize. The name is Rufus, one of the adventurers coming into Fort Tulder. Word has it you wish to buy certain specimen that any of us happen to capture. Now, I don't claim to be an enthusiast or anything, but it always fascinate me the length mages will go to for magical discovery. Well, if what I heard is true, that is." Rufus offers a simple smile, "Anyway, enough banter, I have came to intorduce myself, and to ask a few questions."
"Now, these beasts you're willing to buy, will they all have to be alive? Naturally I don't expect you to pay the same price for a dead one. Also, is there any creatures you know to exist in the Frontier that you wish to acquire?"

[Another_Poet]

Conall

When the dwarf has dried out he heads over to the bar, staring tacitly until the barkeep comes his way.

"A beer and a bed," he says, slamming one of his last coins on the counter. "An tell me who to talk to about the frontier."

[roll0]

[Another_Poet]

[Gather Info checks can takes hours, so if that check gets me anything I'll assume Conall is referred about town for a bit. But first...]

After hearing what the barkeep has to see (if anything) Conall goes to the middle of the room and stands up on an unoccupied table.

In a loud, truly dwarven voice he announces:

"Em lookin' for a chance a go out in them wilds! Came here for excitement - won't find it just sitting round! Any a you the sort what'll go out after them druid woods! Sign up here!"

He crosses his arms and looks around the room, apparently undaunted by the several disinterested faces and the occasional eye-roll.


(Translated from Common to English, this reads: MY CHARISMA IS 6! BUT I REALLY WANNA MAKE FRIENDS! AAAAAUGH!")

[Syne]

Karrin Tal
She walks through the gates with a courtly nod to the guards. Taller than most men, at '6"4, and far stronger, she walks like a warrior, back arched and face staring straight into the wind. the less perceptive, even should they see her face, would assume she is male despite the curved suggestions of femininity in her build.
She carries no visible weapons except for a heavy chain encircling her waist, the spiked mace tied to its end resting against her hip. Despite its weight, it does not seem to inconvenience her. She is accustomed to much greater weights.

She wears simple and thick clothing, torn in placesto reveal the chain shirt underneath, never naked skin. Although it is simplistic armor, she does not have the resources to acquire better, though she hopes her fortunes would improve on this expedition to the unknown. She wears no helmet at present, and her face is clear to all. It is a stern one, and if it is more feminine than masculine, not all men are of a gruff and coarse appearance. He hair is kept very short, which makes others mistake her for male even more easily.

Her gauntlets may have caught the sun in the past, but now they are scratched and battered. It appears that she has been deflecting blows with them, rather than evading. They also seem to have symbols carved into them, surrounded by deep gauges and dullness but still visible from a distance. One cannot make them out precisely, however.

She makes her way to the Last Stop, travel weary and wanting food and drink. A she approaches the tavern, she notices the tell-tale signs of a stable in the structure. She smiles slightly, an almost imperceptible curve of the lips brought by nostalgia rather than happiness. Nevertheless, in that instant, her femininity is unmistakable. She opens the door, just as the dwarf finishes making his proclamation. Her eyebrows rise in surprise, but she ignores him for the moment.

It can't be said that she is dainty, but she is truly weary from her travels. She approaches the barkeep and inquires regarding a bed and something to drink. She passes a few coins to him, and lays her backpack down for a while. It can't be said that she is dainty, but it has to be said that she is human.

She sits down next to a table with her drink and exhales audibly, her backpack close and within reach. She does not take off her chain or loosen her armor, however.

[Maxymiuk]

Rufus strolls pass the bridge over Vartva river, between Fort Tulder and Ester Vilize's shop.
Of all the locals in Fort Tulder, Ester has to be one of the more interesting ones to Rufus. Not to say the rest are not interesting themselves.

"Afternoon, Mr. Vilize. The name is Rufus, one of the adventurers coming into Fort Tulder. Word has it you wish to buy certain specimen that any of us happen to capture. Now, I don't claim to be an enthusiast or anything, but it always fascinate me the length mages will go to for magical discovery. Well, if what I heard is true, that is." Rufus offers a simple smile, "Anyway, enough banter, I have came to intorduce myself, and to ask a few questions."
"Now, these beasts you're willing to buy, will they all have to be alive? Naturally I don't expect you to pay the same price for a dead one. Also, is there any creatures you know to exist in the Frontier that you wish to acquire?"

"Oh, so glad someone is taking interest," Vilize smiles nervously. "Deplorable, how people treat science these days." He looks around at the empty cages lining his tent. "Anything you can find, really. Animals that don't act as they should. Strangely colored ones. Mutated ones. Er... oh, I just remembered," he digs out a grimy page from the recesses of his robe. "Er, some soldiers - surviving ones - tell me they've had run-ins with, er, can't quite mak- oh, lizards. Swarms of them, apparently. One individual called them - hold on, I wrote it down - er, 'fast little buggers what descend on you like a pack of hellions, bite you in a dozen places, then run off and wait till you bleed, the bastards.' Isn't that amazing?" the half-elf grins. "Imagine that! A reptile that can survive the local winters! With saliva that contains anti-clotting reagents - just think of the uses! If you could bring me a few live ones - a pair, at the very least - I'd be very happy indeed."


"A beer and a bed," he says, slamming one of his last coins on the counter. "An tell me who to talk to about the frontier."

gather info - (1d20-2)[16]

Evric Rudyard leans forward to look down at the dwarf. "There's been this group here a few months back that found a good spot - one of them old castles that's been a couple days travel northwest from here," he rubs his chin. "Castle Fyonole, think it was called. Kept going back there time and again, clearing it out. Always boasted about how many goblins they've killed this time around - seems the beasts just kept trying to move back in each time. Finally they ran into some door or other they couldn't open, and decided to move further out. Now mind you, there was five of them, all armed to the teeth. But only two came back. And just kept going, back south. So I figure, by now there'd be plenty of goblins back there if killing's what you're after."

He pauses in thought.

"Or you could just go and talk with that Yselle lass. She's been around, from what I hear."

[Morbius]

Baseare finally arrives at the Fort Tulder, soaking wet of the rain and sweat of walking for so many hours, himself a muscular man with somewhat long hair, dressed in a very simple yellowish white shirt and pants under his scale mail. Strapped on his back a heavy shield, a greatsword and some javelins
He looks from one side to the other slightly confused and decides to ask a passerby where he can rest for a while and get some food, when the man points to the stables Baseare almost jump on his throat before the man is able to explain that it is in fact a tavern.

He approaches the tavern and just as an armored woman is opening the door he hears the call for adventurers from inside. He peeks over the woman’s shoulder (barely)to see a dwarf with purple hair on a table. Baseare simply starts to laugh and points at the dwarf “Funny dwarf, but me is also looking for exci… excit… things to kill and make money, you are funny but I will go with you, me not know this place… and to kill things the more people the merrier, but now I need some rest…” Baseare raises his arm a little and sniffs under it “…and a bath”. After that he approaches Evric and asks for a room(and a bath).

[Another_Poet]

((we return from our expedition almost two full days later..))

Conall seems in much grimmer spirits on the way back into town than he was when he left. He asks around to see who is in charge of the place, and is directed to Primate Harl's office.

Whether he finds the Primate himself there or some lower-ranking soldier, he gives his report simply:

"On a edge of a White Tower woods we found a body floatin' down, full of arrows. One a yer men by his uniform. Shot up pretty bad - green and black fletching. He was stripped of all personal property. The others buried 'im, against my counsel. I thought we shoulda brung him back. But we marked a spot, if you need to go get 'im."

He pauses. "Any idea who he was? Sommun gone missing?"

[Morbius]

Wait a minute I though we would bring the guy on our way back, we just did no roleplay it...

[Syne]

When she comes back, Karrin goes over the items foun with an arcana-discerning eye (detect magic), checking to see if any are magical and if so, in what way. She checks the potions if they are also of the conjuration school.
Furthermore, she uses read magic on the scroll in order to identify the spell within.
She will rest soundly then, hoping to recover from the wound in her shoulder. Although it doesn't close up quite that fast, she regains her stamina at a surprising rate.

[Another_Poet]

Wait a minute I though we would bring the guy on our way back, we just did no roleplay it...

OOC:

If no one said it I don't think it happened. Plus, it seems really weird to bury someone and exhume them the same day. If we intended on bringing him back we should've made a litter and hauled him with us. Putting him in a shallow grave where animals can dig at him doesn't really scream "you're coming with us, pal".

Probably not a big deal though - the soldiers can go get him their damn selves. Conall is just being cautious.

[thisisaspace]

((Just checked, you can identify a potion with a spellcraft check, DC25, no retry. Then again we've got three of them, so, 3 tries. But anyway, Rufus would have mentioned going back to check that the corpse is still in one piece at least.))

"I'll take one of the potions," Rufus said, sliding one of the blue potions toward him on the table. "and I'll be happy take those off your hand if no one will take them, offering their worth from my share, of course." He continued, pointing at the other two potions and the thunderstones. "The rest, I want them in cash. That's all I ask."

He's been somewhat quiet on the way back from the goblin site, at least, absent-minded. Giving short replies and only spoke up to mention the patrol guard they left behind. Now that he's given his requests for the treasure, he's off to get - first thing first - himself a drink from Evric:
"I'll have some rum. And erm, I'd like to put up a poster, do you have a notice board or something like that? I can even stick it on one of the pillars if you won't mind. I'll appreciate it if you have something I can write with that I can use - I'll pay for it, of course. Well, I'll pay for it when we've split all that."
Rufus turns around at the table full of valuables, a smile emerging on his face, and turns back to Evric and says: "How about that? 'No one comes back from the White Tower Woods', they tell us, and see what we found in the basement of some goblin infested ruined stone house."

[Maeryth]

(Revised Post)

Calyn's ears twitch at the boisterous dwarf's declaration.

"So he's an adventurer?", Calyn muses.

It had been a long time since she had been out in the wild, and Calyn missed the thrill and nostalgia of surviving out there. Despite the sudden urge to venture out into the wilds, she tempered her impulsiveness. She didn't know this dwarf, and she knew the dangers that lurked in those woods he planned to visit. It took a great deal of effort for Calyn to remain in her seat, especially when she heard that others had joined the dwarf on his dangerous journey.

Trying her best to put it out of her mind, Calyn headed up to her room. She pulled a small chest out from beneath a simple cot, checking the contents: a full suit of heavy leather armor and a small bag of coins. She tossed the coin bag, and sighed at it's relative weightlessness. Her head swung towards her bow, unstrung and propped in the corner. Calyn sighed again.

(Later, once the party has returned...)

Sitting at the bar reading her worn copy of "Elves of the World - A Human's Perspective", Calyn's concentration is disrupted when a young man slides in beside her.

After ordering a glass of rum, the young man says to Evric, "How about that? 'No one comes back from the White Tower Woods', they tell us, and see what we found in the basement of some goblin infested ruined stone house."

Calyn turns spots the table he came from, noting the presence of the purple-haired dwarf, and some serious treasure. Her eyes widened at the sight, and she became keenly aware of the emptiness that dwelt in her coin pouch.

"They made it back alive?", she thought. "Worse for wear, but alive and well off."

No further arguments left in her mind, Calyn stood up, tugging her ridiculous wide-rimmed hat over her head, and approached the table.

"If you all are planning another excursion, you'll have another blade and bow here if you need one. My name is Calyn and I'd gladly join your group."

[Maxymiuk]

He's been somewhat quiet on the way back from the goblin site, at least, absent-minded. Giving short replies and only spoke up to mention the patrol guard they left behind. Now that he's given his requests for the treasure, he's off to get - first thing first - himself a drink from Evric:
"I'll have some rum. And erm, I'd like to put up a poster, do you have a notice board or something like that? I can even stick it on one of the pillars if you won't mind. I'll appreciate it if you have something I can write with that I can use - I'll pay for it, of course. Well, I'll pay for it when we've split all that."
Rufus turns around at the table full of valuables, a smile emerging on his face, and turns back to Evric and says: "How about that? 'No one comes back from the White Tower Woods', they tell us, and see what we found in the basement of some goblin infested ruined stone house."

Eric shrugs. "Figure you just got lucky then. Good for you. And what do you need a... "notice board" for?"

[headwarpage]

Darik Avarin

A young dwarf, barely old enough to grow a full beard (and that outshone by at least some mere humans) arrives in Fort Tulder, his armor and shield covered in road dust. He pays little attention to his surroundings, except to find the nearest tavern. Looking around, he is somewhat encouraged to find a respectable number of these "adventurers" he's heard so much about, but he doesn't make any effort to approach them.

"Axe for hire," he announces loudly to nobody in particular, then heads for the bar to see if the local ale is as bad as he fears.

[Morbius]

Baseare follows Conall to Primate Harl's office and says after him " That's right sir, me was one of those that burried him, but we did just a shalow grave, with a couple of shovels you should find him quickly, me just did not wanted to leave him there in the wilderness were some beast could eat him and take him away, me wanted to bring him back here but other people in the group said no" After that Baseare tried to explain to the soldier where was the grave and it just took a few (several) minutes due to his incredible (sucking) explanation skills(it was close to a tree thiiiiisss big...)

Baseare then goes to the tavern with the other where he boasts about how he mad kobold pudding from a kobold that shooted that arrow (he refused to remove it and in fact showed it to everybody that passed) until he and Karrin start to argue with Conall about the loot...

people close to the group are also about to hear some joke about the two barbarians special abilities, something about Conall stinky feet aura and Baseare special sleepy fart attack...

[Another_Poet]

Conall leaves the barbarian to talk with the guard, and spends much of the next week looking for new lodging, buying basic provisions, and searching for a dog or puppy.

About a week later he walks into the taver and slams the suit of small-sized Banded Mail on the table.

"I heard there's grumbling about the loot," he says. "Take it, I don' need it."

Sitting down, he looks around the table. "Head for the castle?"

[thisisaspace]

Eric shrugs. "Figure you just got lucky then. Good for you. And what do you need a... "notice board" for?""Just wanna put up a little advertisement. For a sparring partner, if you must know. You're right, I might have just been lucky today, I'm not assassinating unexpected politicians in their nice mansion houses anymore. I'll need some training if I wanna keep bringing back treasure."

((just wanna put multi-classing into fighter in an in character way, that's all))

[Maxymiuk]

Eric shrugs again. "Well then, don't see anything wrong with that. Go on right ahead, there's a wall right there," he points.

[vargen]

Alex

The young man walks through the forts gates with a doe hanging across his shoulder.

Alex walks straight to the tavern, and hands the doe over to Evric

"This should pay for our old debt. Pa wouldn't want any debts unpaid. I'm thinking of accepting Hald's offer, I can't live alone another winter, much safer to work from here, and how knows, maybe it only takes a few years, then I can move south and live of my wealth" he says with a laughter

Alec looks around the tavern and sees a lot of new faces. "Evric, do you know if anyone is heading out today or tomorrow?"

[thisisaspace]

Rufus gives Evric a smile and a thank you, and retires back in his own room. He returns to the Last Stop the next morning holding a poster in his hand. He picks a visible spot on the wall and pierces an old dagger through the top part of it.



Think You're Good?
Seeking all who are skilled in the art of steel and wishing to better themselves.

If you think you know how to handle a weapon, then I'd like to see just how good you are. I am looking for people to spar and practise with, and welcoming all friendly challenges. If you believe fighting is more than just a necessity to survive, and closer to a form of art, then I will look forward to hearing from you, like-minded friends.
I am Rufus Sinistra, currently staying at the West Tower of Fort Tulder, room number 4.

[thisisaspace]

Rufus returns to the fort only 3-4 days later, on what was originally planned to be a 3 weeks journey to and fro the Cloudrends. Although "planned" is too strong a word to describe it.
After parting ways with Alec and Calyn, he returns to his room so he may leave his travelling gears behind, and will head straight to the Last Stop.

Upon arriving the tavern, Rufus gives Evric an embarrassed look upon approaching the bar.
"Don't start, Evric. Just give me a glass of rum."
After draining the first glass, he walks over to where he placed his poster advertisement, and places a second one somewhat nearby to it.


CAUTION
Attention to all fellow adventurers to beware of goblin ambush traps. On the north path toward the Cloudrend mountains we were ambushed by a band of goblins, using a derelict wagon and dummy scarecrows to attract the attention of travellers. We were wary of others within the frontiers and have taken precaution to approach with discretion, but that only deterred them somewhat. We have eliminated this particular threat at this time and the wagon is burned down, but I implore you to be on your guard. Their numbers are great.

RufusRufus takes a few steps back to observe the new placement, then turns around to look at the relatively empty room. After taking a short moment feeling a little left out, he orders his second glass.

[Morbius]

After finding heavy resistance if the castle the group retreated... during the journey back the group was divided, Conall and Darik continued to the fort to heal their injuries while Baseare, Sgt Reynolds and Karrin investigated some tracks they found along the way.

Several hours after Conall and Darik returned and shared this history the three people that stayed behind could be seem in the distance at the watchtower of the fort...

Baseare carried proudly his scars of the battle, several parts of his body were covered by improvised bandages as was Reynolds, except he was not as excited his other (more simple minded) companion, with them was Karrin, not a single scar but her spiked chain stained by the blood of their enemies.

After recieving some treatment for his wounds Baseare drags himself and his stuffed backpack to the inn where he brags about his adventures and discuss the sharing of the loot with his friends. He boasts about how they found an ancient tomb that was infested with scaly things (goblins and kobolds) that were kind enough to mark all the traps in the location(thank god). About how they found a giant skeleton attacking several scaly things and how they gave them their shine new sword for allowing them to escape.

The batlle that followed was epic, the giant skeleton charged Baseare who was carring his sword and Baseare met the chalenge as his friends stayed on a safe position and attacked. After landing two blows that destroyed the creature's chest and cracked it's skull his friends asked(demanded) for more space to help him in the fight...

"But they be not strong as me and so I landed a blow that made him spin like a spinning top and as he was spinning around me hit him so hard that he exploded! It's serious! Little pieces of bones flew eeeeeverywhere"

After a while the group started to share the loot, they agreed to leave Base with the sword, now they would only need to know how much he was owning them (o0 ouch).

"Me promisses to pay everything! Even if me dies me will smash little scaly thing on the other side and make me dead bones bring their money to you"

They soon left to try to sell their goods to Yselle Mervthorn and ask about the rings to Della Toran as well as trying to sell them. Baaaseare always boasting his new and even shinier sword (not that he had a clue about what it could do actually)

OoC: Max I would like a reply on this part about the rings, is there anything else we should know about them?

[Maeryth]

Perched in a tree just outside of Fort Tulder's walls, Calyn relaxed on a low limb, enjoying the gentle breeze that peacefully stirred the trees. Her throbbing head ache forced her away from the hub of the tavern. Calyn softly touched the large cloth wrapped about her head, wincing at the pain. It was the only wound she carried from the goblin ambush, in which she was almost killed. Luckily Rufus had sacrificed a potion to heal her wounds, save the nasty bump on her head. Calyn couldn't complain though, for she was alive. Plus the goblins had more than a handful of loot from their previous victims, which would solve her financial crisis.

The half-elf sighed, both weary and content. Despite her near death experience, Calyn's hunger for adventure was yet to be sated. She had heard talk of expeditions into the forests, and was interested in joining one, hoping for a chance meeting with some elves. She noted the approach of a few familiar adventurers making their way back to the Fort. Perhaps another expedition wasn't so far away...

She swung gracefully down from the branch, landing on unsteady legs. Rubbing her head gently, Calyn muttered a vengeful curse on the goblin's soul, then made for the Fort, hoping to find some eager adventurers at the Last Stop.

[Maxymiuk]

OoC: Max I would like a reply on this part about the rings, is there anything else we should know about them?

Della Torran declares the signets to be of extremely good quality - she offers to pay 65gp for each one. However, she cannot tell you anything about their origin. "If you and your companions are partial to matters of history, I would propound that you visit that fellow, Marcus Greer. Despite his crude manner and loutish appearance, the man possesses uncanny knowledge of tales of the war."

[Morbius]

Before actually selling the rings Base and the other's seek this Macus Greer to see if he knows anything about them, after all who knows what may be behind the history of who was that giant of a man(unless he add something important we will sell them anyway)

Also after some debate the group decides to have their items identified: one potion Base kept from White Tower Woods, one potion from the last expedition and the sword (I don't think I am forgetting anything also rolls on the OoC thread)

[Mman497]

After a long, wearisome journey Yeats finally arrives in Fort Tulder in midday. The only thing more exausted than his feet is his spirit; he knows he has to do things he hasn't done in quite a long time.

Yeats crosses the bridge into the fort and stops to ask a passerby, "Tell me sir, where is the local tavern?" The man grunts and points him towards The Last Stop to Nowhere. The old derelict stable reminds Yeats of the places he has stopped along the way to Fort Tulder. Maybe it would be nicer inside the tavern.

Yeats drops a few coins on the counter and says, "Barkeep, could I get an ale over here?" He looks around the tavern for people who have the glint in their eye of adventure; for he is hungry for action himself.

[Syne]

Karrin returns from her journeys weary and somewhat disappointed. She grabs an ale from the barkeep and, in doing so, speaks to others about her adventure; how she had traveled to the castle only to be assailed by swarms of bloodsucking serpents, and then forced to leave again due to the wounds of one of her comrades, and most of all about the skeleton-filled crypt and the ancient undead champion she found within.

Several days afterward, she looks through an old map she was given by the guard. Reading it carefully, she traces the lines marking various locations with her finger, searching for where to go next. Finally, her finger lands on a small arrow pointing towards beyond the map, with the words 'Clouderend Mountains' underneath it. Her forehead furrows as she thinks of what she knows about the place, and how far it is.

She looks at her weapon, a chain tipped with a heavy weight and surrounded by cruel-looking, curved hooks and spikes at its end. She cleaned it earlier, but as always, the telltale blood marks remain, especially in the crevices and nicks were flowing water cannot easily reach. The effect is such that the weapon's features are embossed with distinctive and chaotic red lines.

Suddenly, she snaps her hand closed and bashes her fist against the table. She gets up and calls out, "Alright! Whoever is willing, gear up! We're going to the Clouderend Mountains."

[Willfor]

Her travels, an entirely tiring experience carried out over unfamiliar landscapes, finally drew to a close as she entered the fort. It wasn't much to look at, but experience told her that nothing much was. She took it in stride. Having made a home in far worse places in her youth, it didn't seem so bad.

There was no time like her present to find out more about the fort's inhabitants. She searched around for a tavern, but only found a stable that happened to double as a tavern. It would serve.

As she entered though, she heard the start of her first journey pass the lips of a warrior. "It's a good thing I haven't even taken my gear off."

[Mman497]

Aaron Yeats' head snapped up. This was it. This was what he was looking for. A chance for adventure, for redemption. He gathers his gear and drink and heads to the warrior's table. He introduces himself as Aaron Yeats, carpenter, looking to start anew.

[thisisaspace]

Rufus takes a small pinch of the weed they found from the ex-goblins and sniffs it. He smirks and says: "Heh, nice. I'll take these. Give me a day, and I'll come back with cash. I can assure you what they go for won't disappoint."
"Now, about him." Rufus kicks the kobold a little, "I'm pretty sure the Primate won't be happy with him around. Why don't you let me take him to Vilize? I want to pay Ester a visit anyway. I mean, come with, if you want. You'll need me there if you wanna talk to him, too, or he might be all 'Me no speak common'."

"Hey there, Mr. Vilize." Rufus said, knocking on the door, "Wondering if you could do us a favour." He tolls the kobold behind him.
"Sorry this is so unexpected, but yeah, I'm hoping you might be able to accommodate our special guest here for a short while. We might be able to compensate for your inconvenience. Oh by the way, I've gotten wind of those liazrds you want your hands on. I've already been there but they didn't show. I'll go back though, don't worry."

Side note: To the perceptive individuals, later that day Rufus is seen whispering to certain people around the fort. The next day, he indeed comes back into the Last Stop, a smile on his face, and a small pouch of gold in hand.

[Morbius]

OoC: Assuming Vilize allows them to use a cage and assuming this is really not the kobold that Base is looking for:

When the kobold wakes up Baseare and Rufus (and anyone from the group that wants to come) will come to talk to the little guy(I also assume that Rufus will translate anything that the kobold doesn't understand Base speaking):


"Me is Baseare this be my friend Rufus why do you be tided by those green scaly guys? Other day we see one of you stab one of them do as well, you be in war?"



Depending on the answer (if it is not some adventure hook or does not interfere with the following...)

"Look me and me friends saved your life, you own us... There be one of your race that tricked me, I spared and saved his life like we did to you, killed what was chasing him, and he didn't give me what he promissed after it. Me wants to crush this little thief..."
Base circles the cage where the kobold is beeing kept and continues
"Look, me will let you go, when you are good to travel me will let you go but me want you to find this little thief, because you own us your life, because I am letting you go..."

Base pick a pouch from his belt and waves it in front of the kobold as he takes several gold and silver pieces (the pouch has about 30 GP)

"... and because me will give you four bags full of these if you tell me where he is or even kill him yourself, don't worry about proof, I will know if he dies. So what do you say?"

If the kobold agrees Base will remove his with shirt(his yelowish, sweaty and smelly white shirt) tie it to a larger stick and give it to the kobold.
"When you return don't get too close to the walls, stay in the distance and wave this. This be peace flag, they not shot you if you stay away and wave this."
Then Baseare explains to the kobold where was the cript, about the goblins, the squeleton and as the best description of the kobold itself Baseare can come up with (not something very good) and he hopes that is enough for the little scaly one to find this trickster. Then goes back to the gate and ask the guards not shoot a kobold with the "peace flag" and to instead call him if he appears


OoC: Sorry for the lots of if and assumes, but as I said before I will be traveling tomorrow and I don't want to make you get stuck because of me.

[thisisaspace]

Rufus translated everything so far, with a small pinch of personal flavour, of course. He's got nothing against the barbarian, but he wouldn't wanna go down as the guy who spoke as good Draconic as a goblin with his Common.
Well, I say "everything so far", Rufus hesitated when he was about to say that Baseare was letting him go. He took Baseare to one side. The kobold probably understood Common perfectly, so he might have heard what Baseare wanted to say anyway, but so what, it's not like the kobold has the bargaining chips to decide anything around here.

"Hey, Baz. You're not really gonna let him go just like that, are ya?" Rufus said, a little lowly, "forget your money, if I were him I'd never come back. Sure, we saved his life, but he's in a bloody cage, for Gods sake. I'm sure we're not on his top friends list."
Scratching his head and taking a look back at the kobold before continuing, "Look, it's not a perfect plan, but let's take him with us to find the kobold you're looking for. You sure that's not him?" Rufus takes another look at the kobold, not that he knows what the other looked like.
"Anyway, it's your quest, so it's up to you, buddy. Your call. If you like your own plan, just tell me to shut my trap and translate, and I will, but think about it."

[Morbius]

OoC: Well there is the possibility that he will lead us into a trap and run but ok...there goes the "when he comes back I cage him again and if it ends being a trap I come back and tear him up ling by limb while in rage" plan


Baseare scratches his head and says:
"Ok Rufus, you be more smart, tell him that if he takes us to this kobold now we will give him the gold and let him go. Tell him that I won't harm any of his friends, only the dirty little scaly thief"

[thisisaspace]

"Got it, buddy. You'll have to describe this kobold to me. I know, I know, they all look the same to me too, but try and remember."

Approaching the cage again, Rufus squats down to speak with the kobold (in Draconic, of course).
"Look, I'm not here to play good-knight, bad-knight, I'm just trying to get all this business over and done with. You lead us to this other kobold, and we'll let you go," Rufus prods the little pouch of gold Baseare is holding, causing it to jingle, "plus there's something in it for you, besides your freedom."
"It's very simple, we don't like keeping you here any more than you do, so just do what we ask and we can get this all behind us. Now, if you behave, we might do something about all those goblins if you tell us what's going on. But make up your mind fast, barbarians don't have very good patience."
((Rufus will also watch for any signs of deceit or truthfulness if the kobold wishes to answer us. Sense Motive Check (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1742886/).

[Maxymiuk]

When Baseare and Rufus show up to talk to the kobold - now conscious retreats to the back of the cage, watching them warily. But if anything, it seems to be resigned, rather than frightened. It spends the time Rufus takes to translate Baseare's requests and threats to feel about its body for wounds and bruises, wincing slightly every now and then.

When Rufus stops talking, it stares at him for a long time.

"I did not betray my friend to the goblins," it finally answers in Draconic. "Why would I betray him to you? What happened to me is your fault," the kobold puts its hand to a long gash across its snout. "That he is in hiding is your fault. You think money can fix this?"

It turns its back on the two men, putting its hands around its knees. "Kill me if you will. But don't insult me."

((as far as Rufus can tell, the kobold is being honest and sullen))

[Morbius]

Baseare scratches his head and starts mumbling something no one would understand as he wwalk around circles for some good 10 minutes then he grabs Rufus' arm and take him away from the cage to whisper:
"Me thinks there be many hunters in the fort, if he does not help in the end we may let little scaly thing go anyway and ask someone to follow his trail"

After that base returns to the kobold and asks

"Why do you say it be our fault? We kill thing that was after him. We help him and he trick us. And you no answer me, why do you be fighting the green scaly things (goblins)?"

[thisisaspace]

"Good idea, Baz." Rufus whispers back, "It might be a little suspicious if we just let him go, I say we set it up so he thinks he's breaking out on his own. I'll put something in his food that could be used as a lockpick. That means we'll have to follow him at night. That might be tricky..."

Aftewards Rufus continues to translate the question about the kobold's deal with the goblins.

[Maxymiuk]

The kobold turns its head towards Rufus, its tail twitching.

"You blocked our way, didn't you?" the kobold growls irritably. "And made it very clear it was either giving up what we were sent to retrieve or die." The kobold blows out its nose, clearing it of dried blood. "For our failure, I was punished."

"And we don't fight goblins. Those who fight, end up like me."

[thisisaspace]

A little lost on the meaning, Rufus assumes it's about incidents that happened when he was not present. He translated the kobold's words to Baseare.

After asking Baseare for a little break, Rufus decides to have a conversation with Ester Vilize.
"Thanks again for letting us use your cages, Mr. Vilize. I owe you a favour, and keep in mind that's not a currency I hand out frequently."
"Now, I've updated you on our progress with those lizards you wanted, but I believe we're having a bit of a situation about your magical creatures in general. Y'see, more than once I've found myself coming across an incredible creature and we have no idea if it'd be worth your time. For example, last time, we came across this enormous spider, bigger than you and me combined, and we have no clue as to whether it's a natural breed, though uncommon, or engorged through magic. We abandoned it due to its size, but I just wonder."
"I'm not expecting a shortcut to the encyclopedic knowledge you possess of magical creatures, not at all, but if there's anyway at all to provide a walking stick for these blind eyes, then I'm sure it'd benefit us both."

[Maxymiuk]

"Ah, of course, of course," Vilize smiles. "I'm always eager to proliferate education among fellow men."

"I'm afraid that what you've encountered was, in fact, one of the common variety of giant arachnids - as common as such creatures may be, ehehe." Vilize raises a finger. "No, the effect of Vartva on the local wildlife goes far beyond simple amplification of dimensions. While the river mutates in various and diverse ways, such alterations will in most instances be quite apparent. Take the delightful critter I was sold not two months back. A common housecat - quite wild, of course - but in place of fur it had razor-sharp quills. Or one month ago, one of the patrols caught an owl with a beak made of - imagine this - pure alchemical silver."

Now, of course, such mutation need not be limited to common animals." Vilize begins pacing back and forth. "I receive reports of owlbears that spit acid, a shocker lizard colony that were followed by a miniature storm, once a hydra that could teleport... really, what I seek is any creature that exhibits aberrant abilities or physiognomy - something you wouldn't find in the common member of the spiecies."

[thisisaspace]

"Hahah! Well then, I guess I'll know one when I see it."

[Morbius]

Baseare starts mumbling something again and walks around in circles for (another) good 10 minutes:
"These... goblins... they be your masters? You be their slaves? How many goblins are holding you? And why do they wanted the pretty sword?"

(Also if the numbers aren't something ridiculous:)

"If I take care of these g... godlins.... green scaly things!:smallfurious: Do you take to the little sneaky thief?":smallannoyed:

[Maxymiuk]

With Rufus gone away on his newest venture with Calyn, there's no one to interpret for Baseare. Thus, all the kobold does is stare blankly at the large, angry man.

And speaking of Rufus and Calyn - they don't come back from White Tower Woods.

Two, three days pass - they're overdue. Four, five... nothing. At the end of the week, Primate Harl declares them missing, presumed dead.

[Morbius]

Base attempts to find someone in the fort that speaks the language of the little scaly thing but more importantly he attempts to mass as much adventurers as he can to attempt a rescue of Rufus and Calyn (do we knows to what part of White Tower Woods they went?)

[Maxymiuk]

Vilize says that Rufus mentioned something about sniffing about the homestead you've visited during your last expedition into the woods for tracks or additional clues.

[Mman497]

After tending his wounds for a couple days and a drink or two, Yeats heads out on the streets to listen for rumors. His wanderings eventually lead him to Base.

"Base, it's nice to run into you. I haven't had time to properly thank you for your help with that spider. My leg healed up nicely. Yeats leads Base off the street and out of the bustle. "I think we have bigger problems. Have you heard anything about Rufus and Calyn? I heard they went missing. Maybe we should get a search party going."

Yeats doesn't look completely sold on going back out. He thinks for a moment and then continues, "What about the little kolbold? Did you make any progress with him? What were the goblins doing with him? I know you were looking for more of them for something. Anything I can do to help you with that?"

[Morbius]

OoC: Should have mentioned something like this before :

Baseare goes to the last stop, climbs on a table and ask for others to go with him to look for the missing adventurers:
"If it were you you would like us to go! They may still be alive! They be me friends! Green scaly things could be torturing them, and beating them and spitting on them and torturing them as me speaks! And if they be dead... then at least we can bring them back..."

He says the last part with tears in his eyes and leaves the building. As he leaves he finds Yeats and hears to what he says then:
"Yes, me be trying to put together searching party as well, me just talked to everyone in the last stop..."

After Yeats asks about the kobold:
"No, me does not speak the little scaly thing's tongue, only Rufus did and without him..."

A single tear appears on Base's face and he says on a errr.. something voice:
"Sdupid wind butting dust on me eyes"
(I don't know how to translate this, how you say that effect of when you are crying and cannot speak properly...)

Base will later try to buy a wagon or cart, a animal to push it(preferably mules or donkeys, and then talk to Vilize:
"Me heard you want fierce beasts, me is going out looking for Rufus and Calyn, if they be beaten by little scaly things me will smash them, if they be eaten by strange beasts and me brings it to you... do you promisse a slow and painfull end for it?":smallfurious:

"Me also needs a way to bring them here...what do you have that I can use?
(looking for cages, chains and Manacles)

(Also I am assuming that Base overheard Rufus and Vilize's last talk, or he didn't Max?)

[Maxymiuk]

((chains and such are far easier to purchase from the local blacksmith. Baseare could've heard Rufus and Vilize talking, why not. Lastly, I'd have to ask if you're serious about taking a cart into a forest without any roads to pull it along))

"Er..." Vilize is somewhat taken aback by Baseare's ferocity. "I, er... any creatures I can use, I send off to the university. I have sympathy for your friend but, It's not worth it for me to kill them, I'm afraid. And speaking of which... what am I to do about your kobold? Rufus promised to recompense me for housing it here, but he never did pay me."

[Morbius]

((make that preferably a mule, and if none is found a donkey, without a cart or something I don't think it's possible to carry around cages as well so for now Vilize will have to be happy about dead critters))

"So you mean they won't kill them slowly and painfully , and poke them and bully them around where you will send then? Hum... me has vague memories of this un...univ... this smart pleople place, but me remeber something about poking strange beasts... that was fun:smallbiggrin:. Anyway me pays for little scaly thing, me still need to speak with it, how much you want?

Base slowly takes out his pouch (very slowly indeed)

[Maxymiuk]

"A gold piece for every day I've had to keep it here is what I asked from Rufus. So eight gold pieces is what's owed to me."

((And you can get a mule from Jan))

[Morbius]

Baseare pays the man then he stares blankly at the nothingness for some minutes. After a while he snaps out of it and asks:
"Do you have any cage that a mule could carry so that the little critter canot hurt it?"

(I am thinking it must be something almost completely closed, perhaps bars only on the top for breathing and feeding)

[Maxymiuk]

"Of course. All you need is one with a solid bottom. Twenty five pieces of gold for one made of iron."

[Morbius]

Slightly drunk as he searches for someone that speaks draconic and readies himself for the next expedition Baseare visits Jan (while slightly drunk) to buy a mule:

"Hello me wants a animal smart as I am and strong as I am to carry me gears..."

And after buying himself a new brand new mule returns to the taver to find someone that can speak the little scaly things tongue...

[Maxymiuk]

On the second day a sergeant finds Baseare.

"Primate Harl requests that you stop what you are doing. You're bothering on-duty soldiers and there's been complaints about you."

[Maeryth]

Sitting alone at a table in the Last Stop, Tay appears quite bored, resting her chin on her hand propped up on the table.

"I thought they said the Last Stop was where all the adventurers came to?", she thought. "All I see are a bunch of drunk off-duty soldiers and vagabonds..."

Just when Tay felt she had lingered in the dingy place long enough, a large oafish man stood upon a table and announced that a rescue party was in the works. A rescue party bound for the White Tower Woods.

A wide grin crept onto Tay's face.

------

Her step was light as she went home later that night, to her designated room within the temple. Her skipping came to a stop when the door opened before her.

"Where have you been?", inquired Reagan.

Surprised that her older brother was home so early, Tay tried her best to hide the satchel of rations and travel gear behind her. "Just out...buying food.", she said as convincing as possible.

Reagan eyed the satchel skeptically, then nodded his approval. "Well come on inside. You shouldn't be out at night with winter drawing near. Come."

------

Early the next morning...

Reagan entered the armory, readying himself for the day's patrol. As he went about equipping himself, he noted the empty armor rack that belonged to Tay. Turning to a nearby footsoldier, he asked, "Where is priestess Elaras' armor?"

"Sergeant Reagan, sir! Tay was here just a moment ago and took her equipment. Mentioned something about an 'off-duty patrol'."

Reagan heaved a sigh of pure irritation. "TAYYY!!!" (Echo, echo, echo...)

(Some where outside of Fort Tulder...)

Tay shuddered, a shiver coursing through her spine. "I sense something terrible has just happened..."

[thisisaspace]

Arriving at the Last Stop is a young and rather lanky fellow, at least, lanky compared to the average patrons of the Last Stop. He's dressed in fine clothing that signifies a big city and wealthy upbringing.
He takes a glance at the stable-turned-tavern, his expression a little unamused (though he tries to hide it). He approaches the bar as he try to feign easiness to his surroundings, but can't help avoiding to touch anything.
"Good day. May I have a glass of the house wine, and if you'd be so kind to tell me where I might find a certain Ester Vilize?"

Just then, a hulky beast of a man storms inside the Last Stop, declaring a rescue party.
Gotta start somewhere, I guess... This should get my feet wet... Ooh, I barely settled down from my travels... If someone's already died there then I might just get in the way... Look at the size of that guy...
Whether or not Evric tells him about Vilize, he hangs around the bar watching Baseare, trying to gather up the courage to approach the barbarian. Just when Baseare is about to leave, Lars grasped the last chance to speak to him.

"Ah-ahem. G-good day. I wish to join your rescue party. I'm knowledgeable in many manner of extraordinary things, and I may aid you in battle with magic granted to me from the Archmage Boccob."

((i'm gonna have to start making drafts, i keep adding stuff to my post minutes after i posted them.))

[Maxymiuk]

"Vilize?" Evric chuckles. "Will have to turn right around and head back across the bridge on Ilvana. If the noise his beasts make won't guide you, then the stench will.

[Another_Poet]

Conall stumbles into the Last Stop looking winded, but otherwise healthy. It would appear the purple-bearded dwarf has gotten over his illness, mostly. He still isn't grumbling and complaining, which means he's probably not 100% yet, but he's on the mend.

He notes the absence of some of his earlier companions and the presence of some strangers. He looks around for a friendly face to let him know the latest news.

[Willfor]

Manara enters the tavern ragged, tired, and in need of a stiff drink. However, once the alcohol takes effect, she begins to show a different side of herself. The cold shell fades, but the stiff side remains. She launches into a loud story for the tavern, that anyone may hear.

"Listen up, fellow adventurers. We are back from the White Tower Woods. You may have already noted that Baseare isn't here, but I will get to that later. Needless to say, you can stop thinking that the woods have become safe. They haven't. The monster that killed Baseare still roams free, and we would be dead too if not for amazing feats of luck, smarts, and the spirit of Baseare.

"We set out as a rescue party. No one else would heed the call of missing Rufus, and Calyn, and so we set out to find them in the woods. Baseare, myself, and two unproven ones, Lars and Tay. The trip to the woods seemed uneventuful. We were so close to the woods when we were forced to make camp. Late that evening, we were set upon by two wolf skeletons of enormous size. So quickly did they take Lars, Tay, and me, that we could have all been killed. If Tay hadn't woken Baseare up at the last second, we would not be here now. But Baseare's powerful swings split the skeletons apart so badly that our wounds looked like nothing in comparison.

"That night was rough on him. We were all bleeding to death, and he somehow managed to save all of us single handedly, even after the combat ended.

"Morning came, and we went to the homestead in the woods. We knew they would have gone there. Unfortunately, we needed to regroup ourselves. We holed up in the basement, and recovered even further. We found tracks that we knew must have belonged to Rufus and Calyn. We set out, and looked for hours. Eventually we found tracks leading through the woods. We found dead goblins on the path. We didn't hold out much hope.

"We came to a stand of trees in a clearing. There was a charred one in the middle of the clearing. Rufus and Calyn's bodies were strung up in it! We wished we could have helped them, but Lars informed us of the true nature of the tree. It was a treant, a living tree with malice in its heart. Baseare and Lars approached it while Tay and I stayed back. Then we all ran as it woke up. It chased us for a long time.

"Afterward, we realised we were in the worst nightmare of an adventurer. We were lost. Oh gods, how we were lost.

"In our lost condition, as night was falling, we happened upon more goblin corpses. They had sword wounds. We followed them into a clearing where a masked man and woman were fighting a minotaur, each armed with swords. Baseare charged in to help, calling out the beast after it knocked down the two fighters. That is when the beast put his two horns through Baseare's torso, and flung him out of sight! What choice did we have? Lars summoned a badger to distract it, and we ran! Baseare, the strongest man of the fort, killed in a single hit by this monster!

"Oh how we ran, down to a river. We were tired, beaten, ashamed. We holed up in a tree, and prayed death wouldn't come that night.

"And so it came in the morning. Tay woke up, and as I woke up, I saw two goblins on wolfback. One archer, and one in chainmail. The wolves were slowly but surely closing in on us. I woke Lars, and we all readied our weapons. Just as they reached the tree, we unleashed a volley. Lars' bolt ripped the archer off of his wolf, and he was done.

"After another volley, the armored goblin ran behind a tree, and started to call for help on his horn" Manara points to the horn Tay is holding. "I made the luckiest shot in my life, hitting him solidly with an arrow with the odds stacked so high against me I couldn't see over.

"That wasn't enough though. It wouldn't come out. Lars volunteered to lure him out so we could shoot him. It was then that a mistake anyone could have made happened. Lars twisted his foot as he fell down the tree, and nearly died without even being in a fight. Luckily he was able to heal himself a little, but before anyone could BLINK, THERE was the goblin!

"He held a sword to Lars' throat and dared us to fire. There was... nothing we could have done. We went out of the tree. We were told to drop our weapons, and give a potion to the archer. The archer revived, and took our stuff. The armored goblin singled Tay out.

"What you must understand is, Tay couldn't have slept in her armor. We were both praying for the goblin's good intentions when he told her to drop her weapons, and stand by the river. I am thankful to the gods that that was the case. He tossed her a sword, and challenged her to an honorable combat. As honorable as forcing a woman to fight in her underarmor is.

"Then it happened. Lars and I were standing on the sidelines. I believe I saw the spirit of Baseare descend on Tay, because the fury of the next two attacks she launched rocked me to the very core. Slash, slash, SLASH, and the goblin's head flies clean off and into the woods! The archer barely has any time to respond as the wolf the goblin was on its stabbed in the eye! With the goblin hunts bearing down on us, we grabbed the horn, and the armor, and waded in the river until our scent trail was destroyed.

"Then we came home." Manara finishes her drink, and goes to bed.

[Another_Poet]

At first when the stranger starts talking, Conall simply looks annoyed. But as the story unfolds, the dwarf stands up from his spot at the table, trembling.

He manages to speak, not to anyone in particular, not even waiting for Manara to finish the story.

"Lost? Rufus and Calyn, lost? Strung up? And me, lying in my bed?
Baseare, the cruel man, gored through the middle? And me, lying in my bed?
Where was the alert? Where were the horns? How could they leave me in bed?
How could... such able warriors... GO TO BATTLE WITHOUT THEIR DWARF!?"

He is so distraught he doesn't even take affront at the statement that Baseare was the strongest man in the fort, when really he, Conall of Conchor is the strongest of them. He draws his battle-axe and with a roar of anguish and loss, he slams its hefty edge through the centre of the tavern table where he sat. The table splits in two, and pieces clatter to the ground.

Then he departs, heading for the wall of the fort, where he can be heard singing dirges and hollering angrily at the gods for entire evening and night, and seen sullenly mumbling (sobbing?) at the dawn.

((When next anyone sees him, his arms and face are lacerated with fresh knife wounds and his eyebrows have been shaved off. He will drink heavily in the tavern until someone offers him a chance to go on a killing spree in the wilds.))

[Morbius]

A halfling wearing simple but well kept clothes enter the last stop in time to hear Manara's tale. He sits heavily by a table and drops his nearly empty backpack by his side.
As he hears the tale he thinks:
(Rescue? Yeah right, they probably wanted to go there and loot whatever they could from the poor bastards body and it also looks like they like to leave their companions behind... it seems I will have to take extra care when I go out with them. Also I wonder what kind of stupid person charges blindly a minotaur just to bounce back after a single hit, I guess this fort lacks skilled warriors for the strongest warrior is not always the most effective)


Lumi attempts to avoid staring at the purple haired dwarf and asks to the closest adventurer:
"So, when is the next expedition going out?"

[Maeryth]

As the party reaches the gates of Fort Tulder, one of the gate guards approaches Tay and snaps a salute. "Priestess Elaras, Sergeant Reagan asks that you see him immediately upon your return." Tay offers a casual salute to the departing soldier. "This isnt going to be good."

An hour later, Tay slowly cracks open the door to her room, poking her head in. Her brother Reagan was pacing back and forth, stopped when he noticed her. "Brother!", she began, full of forced cheer.

"What in the Nine Hells were you thinking?!", he demanded.

"Nice to see you too..."

"Don't start with me, Tay!", he snapped. Reagan quickly inspected his sister, making sure she wasn't hurt. "It was shouted in the Last Stop that you went into the White Tower Woods!"

"On was a rescue mission"

"It was a suicide mission! One of your companions was slain, and you could've been too! ...Is that blood stains on your gambeson?"

"No, no, no! Well yes...but Im fine brother, really!"

"Heironeous save me", he sighed. Reagan ran his hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "Yes you survived this time, but only because you were lucky! Do you have any idea how worried I was? There's a reason why the patrols never go into the woods, Tay. Really, you shouldn't go out on these...adventures any more! You could get yourself killed, and for what? Some gold?"

Tay hung her head, silently & obediently weathering the verbal storm. Reagan sighed, not knowing what else to say. "Is that it?", he asked.

"What?"

He pointed to the silver-inlaid horn Tay had at her side. "They say you defeated a goblin knight in a duel", he said grinning.

Tay smiled, "Jealous you missed the opportunity?"

"I am proud of you Tay", Reagan assured her gently. "But promise me you won't do anything foolish on your ventures."

Tay rolled her eyes playfully, "Like that'll stop me. ...I promise."

---One Hour Later---

Tay verily skips into the Last Stop, and asks Evric, "So, any news of another expedition?"

[thisisaspace]

Lars was among the crowd when Manara drunkenly explained through slightly slurred words. He mostly stayed quiet and somewhat solemn, but manages to smile politely when eyes were turned to him as he was being mentioned, he even smiled sincerely when Manara mentioned the headshot he made against the goblin archer.

As talk of another expedition was being discussed, Lars did little hesitating to express his interest.
"Wherever you're going, I'd like to come too. I know I'll be able to contribute this time if I try, I must! Let me know soon when you've decided on a location, such as any unfinished business somewhere else, by chance?"
"Now, if you'd excuse me, there's someone I've been long overdued to meet."

Lars finds his way toward Ester Vilize's store and enters. He hopes to find the somewhat infamous Half-Elf that despite all that has happened to him, was still willing to work for the University, and goin a fine job at it too.
He tries to ignore the kobold locked in a cage as he approaches Ester Vilize to talk.
"Good day, Ester Vilize, I presume. I doubt you'd know me but I'm from The University Arcanum, too. The name's Lars Akbraxas. It's an honour to finally meet you, and to put a face to that name. Though, I have to admit my disposition is more of a voluntary choice..."
As Lars talks on, he can't help but was distracted by a certain kobold.
"I'm sorry, I must ask. Is that kobold one of the specimens?"

[Maxymiuk]

A honor, you say?" Vilize smiles nervously, unsure whether he can take Lars at his word. "But... well, someone has to do the work here. The task just happened to befall me. And what brings you to the Frontier, Lars?"

He looks at the kobold and sighs in disgust.

"Oh, that? No, absolutely not. A couple of those explorer types were keeping him here for interrogation - Primate Harl doesn't let any Frontier creatures into the fort, you see. Unfortunately, from what I hear both of them are now deceased and, quite frankly, I have no idea as to what to do with the creature. It's nearly worthless from the academic perspective."

[thisisaspace]

"Absolutely, recent materials concerning anything within the frontiers were so hard to come by. I think your work here is very important. As for me, well, I'm doing Boccob's work. Knowledge and the truth! They won't hold an expedition, so I thought I'd dedicate my natural life to it."

"Oh, I see." Lars looked back at the kobold, wondering what Baseare could have be doing with him, "Well yes, he's dead now... I, I was there..."

[Another_Poet]

Conall

Conall continues to spend his mornings, days, evening and most of his nights drinking heavily at the Last Stop. He gets peach-fuzz in place of his shaved eyebrows and the henna is fading out of his beard.

When he hears that the others went on an expedition that didn't involve revenge against the beasts of White Tower Woods, he becomes even more sullen. As the days slip by he seems to calm down, but his spirits stay low.

His bar tab, on the other hand, is quite high. ((Deducting 10 gp!))

[Another_Poet]

Conall

Conall walks with head hung low as they enter the fort. He looks up at the gate man and weakly calls out, "Dead man walking."

He stops briefly in his room and then heads to the halfling smith's shop. He sighed as he walked in - this wouldn't be easy. He just had to remind himself he'd bought a truly fine ranseur here only four days ago. That was a major sale for a local smith. He was a good customer.

"'Morning," he says. When the halfling turns to him, he goes on. "Yer spear you gave me was awful good. Well-made." He pauses. "You're alright."

"But, I lost it. And damn near everything else. All I got left is this..." he sets down a small object wrapped in linen. Gingerly he uncovers it, revealing an exquisite miniature crossbow.

"I was hoping to sell it to ya. Hoping maybe you'd give me a good price - if you give me enough to keep my friends alive, you'll have a pack of loyal customers here."

[roll0] ((Hoping for more than the standard 175 gp ))

((I suppose that fails.))

Sheepish, the dwarf accepts what he is given. He immediately reinvests some of it, buying a broad coat of hide armour and a newly-made buckler (together 30 gp). Then he heads to the tavern.

"This is for those who were looted, and them only," he says, and heaps 145 gp on the table. "Take what you need, friends. Take as much as you need."

He sits next to it, not even buying a beer until he is sure his companions have their shares.

((Have at it, guys. Just tell me how much you take so I can track the rest.))

[Morbius]

Lumi dirty and defeated enters the last stop and after Conall returns with the money Lumi takes 9 GP and 7 SP, mutters a thanks and says "Sorry about this... I will pay you back... with interest..." then he mumbles something about having less money now than when he arrived and leaves to replace some of his lost gear.
If possible he tries to find the primate and tell him what information he could take from the goblin chief, about how the north is crawling with goblins and 'hornheads' that Lumi assumes are minotaurs since he already heard something about one in the white woods forest killing a barbarian(I should have asked about elves, if he had seem any...).
"I there any kind of reward for this kind of information? I guess not, well at least you are aware now..."

The he takes a walk near fort tulder, he won't go far away to risk himself, but he will look for a sturdy but long branch to use as a improvised weapon for now. And get some leather and other materials to improvise a sling (probably from the blacksmith's garbage ¬¬)

[Another_Poet]

Lumi dirty and defeated enters the last stop and after Conall returns with the money Lumi takes 9 GP and 7 SP, mutters a thanks and says "Sorry about this... I will pay you back... with interest..."

"Nah," Conall shrugs. "Just buy me a beer sometime when you're better off." The dwarf's voice is steady and emotionless, but his eyes aren't. If you look at his face you might notice... hope? Pleading? Hasn't this guy had any friends before?

[Syne]

She walks through the gates with a dejected look about her, and a haunted hollowness in her eyes. Having been defeated like this only once, her mind is filled with blurred, melancholy memories of the last time. She ignores those surrounding her, and reaches the tavern, hoping to buy a drink to drown her sorrows in. However, she remembers she has nothing besides the clothes on her back. So she silently sulks in the corner.

When Conall comes in, offering money to the group, she quietly saunters forward and takes enough money to buy:


Equipment
Ranseur (9 gp)
Sack (1 sp)
Leather Armor (10 gp)
Bedroll (1 sp)
Winter blanket (1 sp)
Spell Component Pouch (5 g)
6 days of rations (3 gp)
Waterskin (1 gp)
40 bullets (4 sp)
-----
To the total of: 27 gp, 7 sp. Once everyone else has taken what they need, she'll take an additional 14 gp if allowed to buy a spiked chain instead of a ranseur.
((it's a bit a lot, I know, but as a primary melee combatant I need a good weapon and some armor. I at least need the ability to make disarm attacks from reach, as that's going to be a primary tactic now))

"Thank you." She sighs, and lowers her eyes. "You will be repaid double."

Then she finds the necessary materials and fashions herself a sling.

[Another_Poet]

"Ah, it's no bother," the dwarf mumbles.

[Maxymiuk]

When the group trudges into the fort, some of them may overhear the gate guard whisper to a friend of his "Bet they won't be heading out again."

The next day, Primate Harl lets it be known that he hopes "that recent events have managed to dissuade anyone foolhardy enough to still hold naive notions about the Frontier being a playground full of treasure and adventure."


****


A few days later Evric Rudyard makes a point of tracking down Lars.
"That Vilize fellow been looking for you earlier today - something 'bout a message being left for you."

[Morbius]

(If I remember correctly Lumi has already met this kobold on his way out to Foiole so...)

He approaches Evric's place and whispers to him: "Mind if I ask the little fella a few questions? Don't worry I won't hurt him..."
(Assuming he complies)

Lumi approaches the the kobold and casts charm person on him (DC 17 for being flat footed:smallsmile:) if he passes the saving throw Lumi will continue to cast until he sucesseds then he speaks in draconic:

"Sorry for that but you seemed sick, and my god demands me to help all those in need, I wish the spell were a little less... unconfortable. However, I can channel only a small portion of his power so it should take some time before you feel better"

Lumi bows and says

"My name is Lumi please to meet you. And I would like to ask you a favor...We accepted to help one of your race, I believe his name was Se'eli, he asked us to deal with the goblins of a old castle...Castle Foyole and rescue a small lizard like being... a Koatare, we managed to kill the goblins deffeating their barbarian leader and some weakling shaman named Fiesta I think, but the bridge we believe will lead to the koatare was destroyed, we need some help to get to the other side and the other humans from the fort won't help us. Unfortunately Se'eli was killed during the combat and we don't know how to reach his friends. I am aware he traveled in the companion of one kobold that could cast illusions, another that was a very good at disapearing from your eyes, one that was a fierce fighter but also heal, a paladin perhaps... and two archers. We need need their help to get to the other side of the large hole were the Koatare is still traped in a cage or else it might starve to death. They said something about the creature being important for your god, so you can understand why it's so urgent to find your friends. Do you happen to know the kobolds I am talking about? And I am sorry I cannot free you but the others would probably kill me for it, but if this works out, maybe who knows..."

[Another_Poet]

((Best IC bluff I've seen in ages.))

[Maxymiuk]

The kobold turns towards Lumi, giving him a long, hard look.

"If what you say is true, then you will find them near or in the castle, attempting to free the koteare. That is where I would be if I were free."

((The spell succeeded. However, it defaults the NPC's attitude to Friendly, not Stupid Fanatical. He wouldn't ignore a logic hole that large.))

[Morbius]

Lumi scratches his chin
"No, we looked everywhere... that is how we got robbed by the gnolls on the first place...they said something about the goblins not paying their leader so he brough the rest of the gang... but I think we got there first anyway. Ha... now that I think about this it's funny he did get most of the goblins' stuff after all when he managed to rob us. I wonder if Se'eli's group ran into them as well"

[Maxymiuk]

"I wouldn't know, would I. I've been here all this time."

[thisisaspace]

Besides for a misty-eyed "Thank you" towards Conall, and insisting that he would pay him back, Lars avoids seeing anyone for the following number of days. He only left the West Tower when the message from Vilize that he had some business to discuss with him was delivered.

"You wanted to see me?"
"No, no wait. Let me talk first. You know, I thought about coming to find you, actually. You're the closest person to a friend here that I can talk to about this. I couldn't even look them in the eyes, Ester, let alone talk to them. If only I hadn't stuck my big nose into it. But nooo, Lars has to be a good Samaritan. Oh, Lord. None of this would have happened if... You know, I've been staying in my room, thinking and praying these past few days. I can't say in all honesty that I truly regretted trying to help that Koteare, but when I think about what's happened to everyone, and Conall! Oh, Conall wasn't even involved in the first place! He came to our rescue, he fought with us against the kobolds, and now he's giving us money so we can get back on our feet!"
"But, I think I understand now. The important thing is we're alive, and I'm alive. Lord Boccob must have decided that wasn't how I was supposed to end, he knows there are still work for me to be done, and I'm not about to disappoint the Archmage himself. I'll always blame myself for this, my guilt is the least I have to endure to repay for letting everyone down. I only hope they will allow me the chance to redeem myself worthy."
After his words, Lars lets out a deep sigh, "Sorry to unload on you, and thank you for listening. I know we do not know each other very well, but I'm hoping that will change and I hope it wasn't too awkward for you. Now, what did you want to see me about?"

[Maxymiuk]

Vilize blinks.

"Er... good?" the half-elf doesn't seem to know how to react. "You encountered some stalwart and trustworthy individuals then? Er, you would do well to stick by them, it appears?

He looks about his shop.

"Oh, but of course, the message," he opens one of the drawers of his desk and reaches inside. "Where did I... here it is. It was the uncanniest thing - last night I'm already asleep, when I'm woken by my inventory screaming their throats out. Initially, I was sure something crawled out of the Vartva and was trying to eat the animals, so I of course ran downstairs to defend them. But by the time I was there, they'd calmed down. And only this," he hands Lars a folded up piece of parchment with the cleric's name written across it, "was left in the middle of the kennels."

Should he open and read it, he discovers it's written in Common, in a familiar style - he read something penned by the same hand fairly recently.

Lars is what they called you, so I think it should be your name. I need your help. You will be recompensed. If you wish to know the details, go to the place indicated below and wait until midnight. You and your companions used something of mine for shelter, so I think you owe me.

Below the message is a small, roughly drawn map. It indicates a spot a mile or so into the White Tower Woods on the southern bank of Ilvana.

[thisisaspace]

"That's, well, to say the least, intriguing. Thank you for retrieving it. Erm, you'll have to excuse me."
Lars makes a polite bow and leaves Vilize's store. He hurries toward the Last Stop, hoping to find fellow adventurers he knows for a second opinion.

[Morbius]

((I assume you share the message with us?))

[thisisaspace]

((yes, sorry i had to step away for a bit))

"So, what do you think? Think it might be whoever gave us the message when we used the tree statues? I can't think of anyone who might have heard my name who we didn't pissed off." Lars said to whoever's interested in reading the message.

[Morbius]

Lumi takes a look at the ltter and says:
"Well, we might as well take a look, perhaps he saw that we tried to rescue the little drake and think we are (sort of) thrustworthy. And the recompensed part sure may come in handy considering our current situation. Not to mention that I think most of us intend to continue to use those statues as a camping site. So continue to be welcome there is a good thing"

[Morbius]

Finally Lars, Marana and Lumi return to Fort Tulder, but they are not happy once more they come back carrying some teasure... but they bring Karrin's body as well.

After seeing to her burial they go to the Last stop and Lumi explaims how a... large gnoll barbarian allied with with human bandits ambushed them and how Karrin fought to the end trying to protect her friends. It was only because of her sacrifice that Lumi and the others survived... Lars and Lumi having been able to finish the barbarian leader after Karrin scored a blow that almost defeated him while Manara was between life and death. Lumi just sat there with a sad face and said:

"Losing our money before was hard, but seeing someone that was fighting with us was... devastating".
He mutters"Maybe coming here was a bad idea... maybe I won't survive long enough to do what I came here to do but now I will be ready for something like that not to hapen to me..."

On the other day, very early in the morning, Lumi goes very early to Jan's stablishment and as he opens the door he says with a smile...

"I would like to make a special order...." After giving the details to Jan he waits in the last stop for Lars and Manara where (after Lars identifies the magic items) they divide the loot.

Then he gets something big from the loot and stumbling about he places it on Conall's table/under his feet, a breastplate... fitted for a dwarf. A little dirty and stained by blood but still useable.

"I hope you consider my debt paid, as well as Karrin's"

Lumi bows and says:

"Once again thank you and sorry for taking your money"

((hehe I am so rich that I am giving money away :smallbiggrin:))

Lumi then spent a good time that day looking for trinkets at the local stores and writting orders for what he could not find.
Then he goes to Ester Vilize and asks the man if he happens to have any scroll or wand(preferably a used one) of sleep, color spray, silent image, cure light wounds and most importantly invisibility.

[Talvara]

As evening began to fall a new arrival wandered over the bridge and into the fort. As he passed the guards he nodded and smiled at them.

The young man stood for a moment with a gentle smile as he observed the area that had been his destination for weeks now.

He seems decently dressed, with a longsword sheated on his side, a chain shirt covering his clothes and a shield strapped to his back.

He weighed his goldpouch and sighed "Looks like im sleeping in the stables again". The young man silently laughed as he made his way to what seems to be an inn "the last stop before nowhere hehe"

With his stomach ready for some food he entered the Inn, Smiling politely at anyone who oogles him. After making his way to the bartender the young man speaks "Greetings, My name is Daniël. And im looking for some dinner" With a warm smile Daniël places his order and incuires about free/cheap lodgings

[The Bellmaker]

Kaldan, finally arriving at Fort Tulder, stops for a moment and considers the fort. He then proceeds into the town, looking for an inn, hoping to secure a place to sleep before anything else. Coming upon what appears to have once been a stable, the hooded young man notices the sign, and enters. He speaks with the innkeeper about lodgings, and orders wine. He pays the man, and takes a seat. He notices a dwarf with a purple beard also sitting in the bar, and cannot help but to stare. He had never seen a dwarf before.

While he drinks his wine, another young man enters the inn. Kaldan listens as he introduces himself to the barkeeper and asks about lodgings. He stands from the table next to the bar he had claimed and walks over to the young man, Daniël. "Hello, Daniël, is it? You're new here, too, aren't you? I just arrived here an hour ago, myself. Why don't you join me? I have a table right here, and a pitcher of good wine. We can talk."

[Talvara]

A little suprised that someone called out his name this fast Daniël turns to face the person. "Why yes, Im Daniël Iveandor. and with whom do I have the pleasure to meet and share a drink" Daniël looks a little confused but still manages to smile politely.

[The Bellmaker]

Kaldan blinks. "Oh, of course. I am Kaldan Ageus, at your service." He bows slightly. "The table is just this way." He leads Daniël over to the table, if the man follows, and pours them both a glass of wine, topping off his own.

[Another_Poet]

((Where did you guys go on the expedition that killed Karrin? To the White Tower Woods, a la Lars' message?))

Conall

Money:

It looks like 3 people took me up on the money, totaling 55.9 gp, so I have 89.1 left. Plus a new breastplate. Sweet!
Once everyone had their fill Conall scooped the rest of the coin off the table, reassuring people they need not pay him back.

Labour:
Conall isn't above honest work, and he occupies himself for about a week doing whatever odd jobs the soldiers will pay him for. He finds that much of it involves cleaning stables, grooming animals and cleaning chimneys. The cimneys are his favourite, as he gets a chance to climb, but he doesn't refuse any job that's offered him. ((Max, I hope you'll allow me to earn 1 sp/day untrained (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/profession.htm) for 9 days so I'm at an even 90 gp))

Adventuring:
Conall hasn't been in the tavern much, and didn't hear about the letter that Lars got. When he heard the others were planning an expedition, he told them he wasn't geared up yet and he'd have to wait a week or so.

Gear:
Conall goes about town, buying gear very frugally and with much deliberation. He procures:
-100' feet of hemp rope (2 gp, 20 lbs)
-10 days' rations (2.5 gp, 10 lbs)
-1 winter blanket (.5 gp, 3 lbs)
-1 climber's kit (80 gp, 5 lbs)
=85 gp (5 remaining) & 38 lbs.

At the temple:
Conall visits the fort temple, first spending time in prayer and then approachign the priest.

"Fadder," he says reverently, "I have a great favour to ask. I wonder if yer rev'rence would grant me a single medicinal potion, if I promise to tithe more than its cost within a few weeks. Please Fadder. There are many horrors out there, and not much solace."

The return of the party & Karrins' death:
Conall grieves at the news, but hardly so flamboyantly as before. It's as if he's running out of tears to shed. He tries to explain to Lumi that there was no debt, nothing was owed - he just can't seem to get through.

He does have a request, though. "Fellas, do you think it'd be aright if I had her spiked chain? I was going to ask her to show me how to use one... I never even broached the subject with her. It's a fine weapon." ((He's thinking of taking the feat next level.))

He spends a long time at Karrin's grave, an entire night in fact, and reshaves his eyebrows - but does not mutilate himself as last time he grieved. He spends a whole afternoon thoroughly cleaning his new armour and gingerly tires it on.

[thisisaspace]

"Just take it, you big oaf. If you don't want it, put it on Karrin's grave. As for Karrin's chains, the way I see it, she bought it with your money in the first place."

[Another_Poet]

Conall

"Thank you," he breathes, almost with a sense of awe at the armour. ((Added the spiked chain to my sheet too, so if there's any objections best to speak up quick.))

[Morbius]

((Lumi was going to object but as Lars said, you can assume everything she bought with your money is yours, due to that reason he has nothing so say))

[Maxymiuk]

Vilize shows Lumi a selection of his wands: he has all that Lumi's looking for in stock currently, but the only one that's used is the wand of CLW (35 charges).

[Talvara]

Daniël takes the young wizard up on his offer, and spends the rest of the night sharing his somewhat naïve hopes and dreams for fame... wealth... and the comon good.

after a few sips of the red wine its colour seems to transfer onto Daniëls cheeks. the young warrior keeps his ears open for rumors. and spends the evening along with Kaldan. "I cant wait to get out there" Daniël says, Fueled a little by the wine.

[Morbius]

Lumi grins and quickly takes the CLW scroll, then he takes a scroll onvisibility (total 675 GP) then he puts an order of a special book and leaves back to Jan's shop to meet his new best buddy.

After a while Lumi appears in front of the last stop grinning and shows to his friends his new riding dog.

"Now you won't be able to say that I slow you down, will you? Jan actually could not tell me if it's a boy or a girl, it seems to attempt to bite anyone who tries to look at his/her private parts. So as I am not sure of the gender I decided to call him/her Karrin :smallsmile:. This is also my way to honor Karrin, so that I will always remember her(him)"

Lumi scratches Karrin's head.
"So do you like your new name boy? err girl?"

After some time playing with him Lumi takes her to the blacksmith and orders some barding for his new pet
Then he takes Karrin to take another walk around the fort

(so I had this biatch named Karrin...)
(sweet, sweet revenge, also I said Karrin was going to die... not Lumi's Karrin but Syne's, yes my Karrin won't die anytime soon)

[The Bellmaker]

Kaldan listens well to the young fighter's words, and while personally amazed at the naïve Daniël, he wholeheartedly agrees with his impatience. He keeps an ear out for any word of an expedition, and makes sure that the greater part of the wine goes to his new 'friend'. He asks no questions of Daniël, and even pays for his meal when it arrives. He shares some of his past, talking of the old man who had "been his teacher," but does not say what he was taught.

After it grows late, he retires to his room, where he sets his things out. The parchment and ink is taken out, and Kaldan fills nearly a full sheet with news of his arrival and a description of Daniël. He rolls up the paper and ties it securely. He will find someone willing to take it south the next day.

He also pens another letter, but leaves it unsealed. He leaves it on his desk. It will not be sent. The next day, after finding someone willing to take the letter, he searches through the merchant's wares, looking for enough glassware of good enough quality for him to set up at the very least a basic alchemical workshop. He tries to keep costs as low as he can, and does not even bother trying to find everything that a lab would need, only enugh of the basics to do some work.

[Another_Poet]

((Max, will the priest grant Conall's request of 1 cure potion, to be repaid plus extra within a few weeks?))

[Morbius]

Lumi spends the time before the next expedition playing with Karrin and trying to teach her a new trick... track (in the place of come)
[roll0] vs DC 20.

To train Karrin he gets the odd piece of dirty clothes from his friends when they are not paying attention, Conall's smelly socks (the smell almost killed Karrin, again), Manara's poo smelling pants, Lars' badger smelling holy symbol.((and when he has the chance the occasional Tay's underwear:smallcool:, yes it's tough to be the only girl on a RPG group))

And attempts to make Karrin find them later.

He after the armor is ready they occasionally ride around the fort, always keeping very close.

Lumi is now properly equiped, but money is short... time for a new expedition

[Another_Poet]

Conall

When Conall goes to try on his new armour, he's in for a surprise. Where are his padded socks? He was sure the kobolds hadn't taken his old socks. He looks around, but to no avail. Maybe rats pilfered them? Shrugging, he figures he'll just have to make do with two pairs per foot.

At least he has some new henna dye, which he promptly uses to stain his beard purple ((deducting a made-up 2 sp for the dye)).

Later, the dwarf heads down to the tavern and lays nearly 40 of his remaining silver on the counter. "That ought ta cover two firkins," he says. "Let the tap flow freely for any explorers."

((Deducting 3.6 gold, or the cost of two 9-gallon barrels, from my sheet.))

hereby establishing the....

Dwarf-Sponsored Alcoholic Adventurer Free-for-All!

* * *

"Everybody drink up!" he yells.

He then settles in at a table and looks for new faces. "Any a you new un's, if you have a story to tell, come tell it. And if you wanna hear about the frontier, ask away."

[Maxymiuk]

Three days after the expedition which claimed Karrin's life, a caravan from Osseron arrives to Fort Tulder. They bring an enormous stock of provisions and winter clothing, as well as the usual wares to restock the merchants at the fort. They also bring the latest news from the capitol. There are several tidbits of information and new servicesthat are sure to be of interest to adventurers here:

- A tragedy in Osseron. A magical surge during a teleportation attempt leveled an entire block, killing and injuring hundreds. The author of this tragedy, one Jarvis Pierce, is missing, presumed dead - he, along with his entire mansion were whisked away in an unknown direction. The mages investigating the scene managed to trace the teleport's path to somewhere in the Northern Frontier. Pierce was an accomplished wizard with many years of experience in conjuration magics. A small reward has been offered by his family for anyone who can ascertain his ultimate fate.
- The Imperial Zoo is searching for a pair of pegasi to add to its collection of over 40 wondorous and magical creatures from all over the Altadian continent. 5000 gold pieces is offered - the prize to double if one, and quadruple if both of the speciments are of the fabled black variety.
- The caravan brought Renold Islay, a bookish kind of fellow who claims to be searching for a rare and valuable tome of history that was supposedly in possession of one of the Frontier nobility before the war. He's hiring guards to escort him on his search for the castle supposedly containing the tome. The payment: any valuables found within the castle's ruins during the search.
- Another arrival is Tris Brefel - apparently a seamstress, who came with a large cartload of equipment and set up shop in one of the Fort's outbuildings. Word has it she's been here last year, and that she's looking for someone to go hunting for a special kind of beast for her.

The caravan will leave three days after arriving - they're hoping to make one last run before the winter storms hit, which are expected a month from now, so if anyone has any special orders, or requests to make, this is their last chance before spring.

Both Renold and Tris are staying in the fort - Renold for as long as it takes to find an escort, and Tris until springtime.

[thisisaspace]

"Hundreds?" Lars bursts out when one of the folks from the caravan is trying to tell him the story of the teleportation catastrophy, "Who died? I want a list of them. Any members of the Akbraxas house were injured?"
"I, my apologies, I have friends and family there. Please continue."

When one of the caravaners explained the Imperial Zoo's search for Pegasi, Lars was certainly curious.
That's quite a price, and I've never met a Pegasus before. I'm not a fan of equines, but a pegasus is something. Probably my favorite, ooh, or maybe a unicorn.
No, what am I thinking? This isn't just capturing some wild animal, this is an intelligent being we're talking about. This, this is slavery! I'm not so far as to protest outside the Zoo like those lunatics I heard about back in Osseron, but I'd never take part.
This is meaningless, I'd probably never come across one in the first place.

"Good day, Mr Islay, I assume? I heard that you are looking for escorts on your search. I have to say it is nice to meet another scholar, and if you pay respects to Lord Boccob, too, I'm buying you a drink."
Suddenly realized that he's still short on funds, he laughs, a little nervously.
"But maybe after we find that book of yours, eh? In any case, you've come to the right place. With what you're offering in return, I'd guess you'll have quite some interest around this part."

[Arkaim]

Amade entered “Last Stop to Nowhere”. He stood at the entrance and covered his mouth as he coughed. He was a mess to look at. He was pale and had bags under his eyes. He looked as though he could collapse at any moment from the large assortment of equipment he had on his person. He carried a packet almost as tall as he was with two cylinder cases slung over his shoulder. Three pouches clipped on his belt bulged out as though their contents were about to spill out. A water skin dangled on his right side.

Yet he couldn't be said to look helpless. His right hand gripped a crossbow and a worn quarterstaff poked out of the backpack. One of the cases strapped firmly across his body had no top. The dull ends of the bolts stood out from it for easy access.

"Eherm. My name is Amade. I am here to turn my fortunes around so I'll be offering my services as an Evoker for just about any expedition that will take me."

With that, Amade walked over to one of the tables, slung of his equipment off his back, and sat down.

[Morbius]

Lumi approaches Renold Islay
"Hello my name is Lumi and I hear you are looking for a book. Can you tell me more about it? I have interest in helping and possibly may have even see it. Where do you think it may be? How does it looks like? In what language is it written?"

[Another_Poet]

Conall

Upon hearing Islay's purpose, Conall also approaches the man, nearly talking over Lumi when he asks, "What's the name of the castle? Tell me it's not Fyonole!"

[Maxymiuk]

Renold Islay adjusts his glasses nervously.

"Castle Fyonole? Oh, no, no, no. Not at all. We'd be heading to Castle Roisen - it's west and a bit north of here - five days travel, I expect. However, that is all that I'll say for now - you're interested, then?"

[Talvara]

Daniël, a little hungover and with a promise to himself to lessen his alcohol consumption strolls along the carts and caravan folk. When looking at the nice winter clothes that will soon be up for sale he weighed his money pouch once again, and frowns.

While listening to the rumors and stories the caravan folk spread around Daniël seemed saddened when hearing about the teleportation incident.

Stroling around some more Daniël spots a dwarf and a halfling seemingly harrasing a sort of... bookworm? Opon closer inspection the Dwarf seems to be the one responsible for Daniëls headache and the halfling looks sort of familiar aswell. With a grin Daniël decides to joins the two.

"Castle what now?" He interupts.
Daniël smiles and nods at Conall, hoping the dwarf recognises him from before.

[Another_Poet]

Conall

"It's the castle where the Kobold High Church is located," Conall says dismissively to the newcomer. "Luckily, Master Islay here is talking about a different castle."

The dwarf finally looks over at Daniel (sorry no umlaut) and realises who he is. "Hey, I saw you heading off to bed in the stables last night! Didn't you hear they'll give you a free room if you're here for exploring?" He sizes up the warrior. "Weren't you enjoying the beer fountain 'afore? Hope you're planning on hitting the frontier!"

[Talvara]

"free.... room?" Daniël twitches, shakes his head and answers.

"Yeah I'm aching to get out there, First chance I'll get. Haha!"

"Forgive me, I have neglected to introduce myself" Daniël shamefully admits. "My name is Daniël Iveandor. I sepose you could call me... an adventurer"

[The Bellmaker]

"Hahaha, yes, an 'adventurer' may be a fine title for him." Laughs Kaldan as he walks up. "I heard that you are looking for an escort, Islay. What exactly do you seek? Where? Oh!" Kaldan snaps his fingers in recognition and gesture toward Conall.

"You! You're that dwarf from the inn! Honoured to meet you, sir. Are you here to take him up on his offer?"

Kaldan's eyes light up in realization, and he speaks in Dwarven, "Please, am I speaking properly? You are the first Dwarf I have met, and I wish to know if I have properly learned the language."

[Arkaim]

Amade, dwarf

Amade was strolling around the complex when he notices the gathering having some sort of discussion.

This may be my chance to get recruited for an expedition.

Amade walks up behind the halfing in the gathering.

Greetings. My name is Amade. Are any of you looking for recruits for an expedition into the frontier? I'm offering my services as an evoker to aid in the success of the mission.

Amade takes note of the dwarf in the group. He speaks in dwarven.

Well this sure isn't an everyday sight. Two dwarves in one place? What is your name sir?

[The Bellmaker]

Startled, Kaldan spins slightly, eyes widening, and, still in Dwarven, curses, and says, "Two Dwarves! From none to two in under a day! I hadn't expected to see so many in my life!"

[Another_Poet]

((What race is Kaldan? What race is Daniel?))

Conall's eyes widen at hearing his native tongue. "Why!" He switches to Dwarven: "Your words are good, lad, if you have a foreign accent. I've not heard such from Outsiders in my life!"

When Amade approaches, Conall swings his gaze to the newcomer and greets the dwarf with open arms and a mighty hug. "You're the third of us who's been here in as many weeks!" he hollers in Dwarven. "And alas, but the two of us live. There's ale awaits you in the inn, and many stories to share. Conall Conchorain is the name on me--that's Conchoran, the waterfall drift. And where are you born?"

((I'm intentionally using archaic phrasing for my Dwarven bits. Let me know if it's confusing.))

[thisisaspace]

The next day, Lars returns to the caravan and asks one of the caravaners to deliver a letter back to his family.
"I know you aren't paid for this, and believe me, if I could pay you, I would. Please do this favor for me, I'd hate for my family to think that I had forgotten them, especially considering what happened in Osseron." Diplomacy (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1779442/)check to persuade the caravaners to deliver my letter.
((Also, can you tell me if any of Lars' family were hurt in the accident?))

Afterwards, Lars will try and find the people who went to Castle Fyonole with him.
"Meet me in the Last Stop if you wanna hear about that portal we found in Castle Fyonole, I'm trying to find the others and I'll meet you once I've told them to come, too."
Whether or not they all came, Lars will tell the ones that has arrived (Unless none of them came). Lars aren't exactly trying to avoid being overheard so if you wish to eavesdrop, he's not stopping you.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I've almost forgotten about that portal. I guess getting almost killed does that to you. In any case, I've looked up some of the books and notes I've brought with me, and I've confirmed what I believed that portal to be."
"See, the device is a defensive tool, very powerful, but very desperate, too. It requires a magic word to activate, and when you use it, you, and whoever's with you will be sent through all the dimensions of existence continuously. No one can find you or trace you because you're moving all the time, but unless you have a powerful mage with you, you have no hope of leaving your eternal journey through the planes, at least not by yourself."
"Usually the family that owns such a portal leave a key to a trusted person, and oftentimes a third key to the Emperor. With the right key, you can open the portal, which acts as a stopping point for the people that are, well, planehopping, for a lack of a better term, the portal will open and the ones planehopping will come back to our plane. Alternatively, if the portal were to be destroyed, which is damn near impossible, and likely releasing all the energy in an explosive manner, you can trap anyone still planehopping this way forever. Never to be found, never to escape."
"Now, here's the interesting part. If I recall correctly, I believe this castle is the same castle that belonged to the Fyonole family. The castle was said to have been taken over by elves during the war and used as an advance point for the elves. If it wasn't for the fortification constructed on Fort Tulder in time, they'd never have been able to withstand the attacks and launched a counteroffensive, and Castle Fyonole would still be elven territory, but that's not my point."
"Let's assume the Fyonole family used the portal when the elves invaded, now, that is over 300 yaers ago. Anyone planehopping in this manner would exist in their own pocket of space which travels around the planes, but time would pass normally for them. If they're not all dead, then they're likely hopelessly inbred and insane."

[Arkaim]

Amade, Dwarf

Amade continues to speak in dwarven.
"Well met, Conall Conchorain. I was born in Hernstein Mountains, in the home of my ancestors. Alas, that place is lost to me now.

He gives a sad smile.

"Are you here to arrange another expedition into the frontier? If so I'll gladly help out a fellow dwarf."

[Another_Poet]

((Amade, sorry I didn't finish that conversation. For some reason this thread did not show up as having been updated on my subscriptions page.))

Conall

Conall and the others return from the frontier only 48 hours after their departure - not long enough to have gone all the way to Castle Roisen. Though they bear no spoils, they also show no casualties; every one of them, even the scholar, is alive.

Conall in particular is walking with a renewed strength, as if the expedition has lifted his spirits. He seems more competent somehow - he is getting used to the rigours of the wilderness.

In the bar, he discovers that the Dwarven Beer Feast has run dry, and more money is required to get it flowing again; money he doesn't have. Instead, he heads out to Ester's place outside of town.

"Mastert Velize," he says with a mix of trepidation and excitement. "Sir, I know your interest is mainly in live creatures... but I thought you should see this."

He lowers his ranseur, careful not to point it at the elf, and waggles the foot of goo-coated rope that hangs from the end.

"Careful Sir, it'll burn your hands. I thought it might be of some alchemical significance."

[Arkaim]

Amade arrived at the fort bushed. He settles in one of the available beds and prepares for a nice long restful sleep.

[The Bellmaker]

When he arrives back in town, Kaldan seems somewhat scorched, but otherwise fine. He heads back to his room and writes another letter, and again finds someone to send it out for him, handing over a silver piece for the favour.

He returns to his room, and begins to analyze the sample he had taken from the trees, trying to learn anything he could about it, such as how acidic it is, and whether it could be useful, or perhaps if it could be concentrated.


Recording his findings(if any) on a piece of parchment, he spends the following two days scribing four scrolls, Two Magic Missiles, one Burning Hands, and a Cause Fear.
((Deducting 50GP for materials and four EXP))

[Another_Poet]

After thanking Velize, Conall heads to the tavern where he shares his info on the acid paralysis goo. He also listens to what Kaldan's found, and agrees it wiould be good to harvest more of the stuff if possible - perhaps on the way back from a foray up to one of the unnamed lakes on the map.

He then visits the armourer and trades out some of his gear, managingf finances very carefully, as he is worried about his impecunious state.

[Morbius]

Lumi (slightly scorched), Conall and the newbies return from the last expedition to the lake.

After resting Lumi goes to the Last stop and share with the others what hapened:
"Be careful when passing by the forest next to the large lake to the northwest, the place seems to be swarming with kobolds and they placed a good deal of traps there. We were following a abandoned horse into the forest when they ambushed us. Kaldan was the 1st to get hit. And after I used a spell to bring him back from the dead the ungrateful idiot repaid me by setting me and my dog on fire!"
Lumi glares at Kaldan in a I will kill you manner
"Anyway as they already had the advantage and Kaldan was kind enough to remove your fog/cover by BURNING IT along with me. I saw myself forced to create a few more banks of fog that we used to escape"

[Arkaim]

Amade

Raaah!

How could I be forced to retreat from a few kobolds? Some glory I brought back with me. I'll make a better laughing stock than a hero. I will not let this happen again. Ever.

Amade laid in bed to clear his mind of all distractions.

[The Bellmaker]

Kaldan listened to Lumi's recounting of this tale in disbelief.
"What?! You were caught up in the flames accidentally, and besides, the cover wasn't all burned away! just the center, which was concealed even without the fog! ...And besides, I DID manage to still get that Kobold in the Mist."

[Morbius]

"Yes, I will keep in mind that you hit the kobold... when I start to throw around fireballs..."

[Another_Poet]

"Never would've thought I'd be running from kobolds, but they're a force out there. When we get the resources we'll have to clear 'em out, but meanwhile we should explore elsewhere. I'm wonderin' about that mansion."
Conall then goes to talk with the caravaners, who (if memory serves correctly) are packing up to leave today. "About that teleported mansion," he says. "I know the big wig mages traced its path up here, but did they give a bearing we can follow? We'd like to go after it."

((If I am wrong and they already left I'll talk to Islay instead, asking him the same question.))

[Morbius]

Lumi and Lars return to Fort Tulder, tired, almost frozen, beaten and carrying the gear of their comrades. Connal, Amade, Daniel and even the scholar Reynold are nowhere to be seen.

After dropping his gear at his room, Lumi goes to the Last stop and explain to any who is willing to listen that his friends where captured by Gnoll slavers and a misterious hooded figure and not even his dog, Karrin, was spared as it succumbed to one of their swords.

Winter doesn't come alone, the new recruits that come to Fort Tulder also bring a letter to Lumi, he reads it carrefully and remains still for a long period, then he nervously goes to his room, grab whatever he can, get himself somewhere winter clothes and goes to the Last Stop.

He talks to all who adventured with him and explain that his brother is in trouble and he must try to help. And with that he leaves the fort and disapears on the tick snow of the road.

At the same time a man in armor, proudly mounted on his... Mule forces his way to the fort in the blizzard... as he advances he mutters
"Forces of darkness...beware."

(continues...)

[thisisaspace]

It depresses Lars even as he thought it; this is the second time where he has suffered a major defeat out in the frontiers, not counting casualties such as the time when Baseare or Karrin (the duskblade, not the dog, though the dog's death was sad, too) died, and already he is getting used to it. He wonders to himself whether it was just luck he's survived so far, a blessing from the great Boccob. He wonders when it'll be his turn.



Missing
Amade
Conall
Daniël Iveandor
Renold Islay

Captured by gnolls, status unknown, don't get your hopes up.
If you're thinking rescue, I wouldn't bother. Think revenge.

"Well, that's that done. Mr Rudyard, do you have something warm? If you have it, some eggnog would hit the spot"
"... Hey, tell me. It's not one of my forte, but I did do some studies in the field of linguistics. If I write up a secret code language, do you think people would be interested in learning it? I'm thinking a collection of code words and phrases, perhaps even a cypher. Should be simple enough to learn. Not overnight, of course... What do you think?"
He looks out the window of the Last Stop. The snowstorm continues.
"Well, it's not like I have something better to do."

[Another_Poet]

Upon news of the capture of Conall, Ester Vilize will pass on a copy of the dwarf's will, written in Vilize's neat handwriting:

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
CONALL of CONCHORAN

I, Conall Conchorain, request that my body be buried holding spear in hand. If it be possible, return my remains to Fort Tulder for burial; otherwise, bury me on the range or wherever is possible. Mark my grave and tell others of my deeds.

For my money, equipment, and all my worldly possessions, nothing would please me more than to distribute them freely to new explorers - the young, the inexperienced, the poor and the naive who first arrive at the frontier. Give my property to them, and tell them my name, and that I want them to fight bravely.

This is my hope for my final gift to the profession I love. Do this, and my spirit will be with you in every battle.

Recorded [frontier dating system] at Fort Tulder
SIGNED: X cna1l conc.rain ( <-illiterate scribblings)
WITNESSED: Ester Vilize

If you look through his bedroom in the fort proper, you'll find 48' of hemp rope and Karrin's old spiked chain. Plus some pretty smelly bedsheets, week-old food getting mouldy in a bowl on the floor, and a lot of carvings of dwarves etched into the woodwork. There are two time-worn rag dolls in the bed, one of a dwarf with a red cap and one of a... monkey?

Also, the chamber pot wasn't taken out.

[Arkaim]

Kheiron

Two silhouettes, one humanoid and another clearly canine, appear out of the curtains of the snowstorm.

“I know, I know, it was a terrible idea to come to Fort Tulder at winter time,” said Kheiron,” however, I’d just like to say that we could have easily arrived here by summer time if it weren’t for all those…setbacks.”

Tramp only looked at Kheiron. His jetblack fur was a sharp contrast to all encompassing snow. He was clearly feeling dejected. He was not accustomed to be lugging so many materials, let alone with the freezing weather and all of the snow. He was miserable.

“Don’t give me that look, Tramp. You’ll thank me later for packing so much food once we enter the frontier. This is the sort of place where you must take all precautions in anticipation for the challenges.” Kheiron looked at the buffeted tavern before them. “It’s probably too much to expect that this place will accommodate dogs. At least considering our luck so far."

Tramp just kept looking at Kheiron.

“Well, let’s see if there is anything to do at the Northern Frontier during this season.”

[Arkaim]

Kheiron

Kheiron approaches Marcus Greer, the human bard within the Last Stop to Nowhere.
"Hello good sir, I don't suppose you know of anything interesting to do during this winter season?"

[Syne]

The bard looks at the newcomer strangely.
"Many would say there is too much to do in the Northern Frontier this season, perhaps the most interesting of them is to merely stay alive. I've written tremendous ballads that speak of less difficult exploits before. But if you take that for granted, why, you only need to venture beyond the large gates leading out of the fort." The bard gestures magnanimously in their general direction "Beyond this last bastion of civilization lie lonesome castles, cursed burial grounds, and forests haunted by the rustling of scheming evergreens. You are sure to find something there. If you are looking for a more directed approach, I understand a caravan has recently stopped here. Perhaps one of the traders who have come with it has something specific in mind."

[Another_Poet]

An unbelievable sight apears to the south of the fort.

In the clear evening light that follows the snowstorm, a single human figure clings to the back of a mule. The mule moves at a tired gallop through the snow; the human, wearing nothing but a single linen garment, may already be dead.

When the mount enters town, its rider proves otherwise. His pale skin is literally blue from the cold. He falls off into the street and, shaking uncontrollably, forces himself to his feet.

He draws a massive chopping sword from the side of the of the mule and, with great effort, waves it in the air. The blade comes down and he slaps the mule's flank with the flat of it, driving the mule toward the stable beside the tavern.

He tries to moan something about the creature, but the words make no sense. Hopefully someone takes it into the stable and gives it food.

For his own part, he stumbles into the tavern where he collapses in hypothermia.

* * *

Once nursed back to consciousness, the boy -- who can't be more than 16 years old -- gives his name as Sir Rovard d'Boulve. He explains that he was struck by bandits on the way into town. All they left him to survive with was his pack mule (he'd had a heavy destrier that they stole) and one layer of clothing. He managed to keep his sword by "hiding it" but doesn't give any details.

When given Conall's inheritance, he looks blankly at the spiked chain. "I haven't been schooled in this particular flail," he explains. He doesn't think of selling it for money until somene else suggests it.

He accepts the kindly help of Kheiron and promises to return the favour. "My family tamed these lands once, we can do it again," he says triumphantly. "When I take my first castle I will give you all rooms and places at the banquet hall!"

[Syne]

The patrons of the inn all laugh cheerfully at the boy after his theatrics and one of the a gruff men-at-arms promises him some ale to warm him up -- if he can stomach it -- as a thanks for the rooms and banquet.

The bard asks the boy to tell the tale of his encounter with the bandits so that he can make a ballad out of it.

[Another_Poet]

Rovard seems confused why anyone would laugh. He accepts the ale and takes a deep sip, but coughs. Perhaps he was expecting it to be watered? He takes smaller sips from then on.

"Say..." he says, looking about. "This must be the Last Stop!" He beams and looks around at the place as if he's made a great discovery.

"I had no idea it would be so... hmm, rustic. It sounds so much bigger in the stories." He snaps his fingers. "When this snow storm lets up I can go see my grandfather's statue at the parade yard!"

To the bard, he replies, "Ah, it is a sad story... not worthy of a ballad, perhaps. Not until I exact my revengeon them at any rate! And get my horse back. That worthless palfry I rode in on isn't hardly suitable for a charge!"

That seems to remind him of something. "So when do we go out on the range? Have elves been sighted at all?"

[Arkaim]

Kheiron

“No need for such extravagant awards, Rovard. Your appreciation is enough for me. I’m going to head out and see this Tris. Apparently she arrived with the fall caravan and needs something done. If it’s interesting enough, I’ll come back to see if you are interested too. While I’m doing that, I suggest that you sell that spiked chain for some warmer clothing.”

Kheiron stands up and heads out of the Last Stop to Nowhere to see Tris.

[Arkaim]

Kheiron

Kheiron trudges through the snow until he arrives at one of the Fort's outbuildings that he was told that Tris resides in. He knocks on the entrance.

“Hello? Tris Brefel? I heard that you have a special task that needs done. I’m interested in hearing the details of this task and offering my services.”

[Syne]

Rovard seems confused why anyone would laugh. He accepts the ale and takes a deep sip, but coughs. Perhaps he was expecting it to be watered? He takes smaller sips from then on.

"Say..." he says, looking about. "This must be the Last Stop!" He beams and looks around at the place as if he's made a great discovery.

"I had no idea it would be so... hmm, rustic. It sounds so much bigger in the stories." He snaps his fingers. "When this snow storm lets up I can go see my grandfather's statue at the parade yard!"

To the bard, he replies, "Ah, it is a sad story... not worthy of a ballad, perhaps. Not until I exact my revenge on them at any rate! And get my horse back. That worthless palfry I rode in on isn't hardly suitable for a charge!"

That seems to remind him of something. "So when do we go out on the range? Have elves been sighted at all?"

The grizzled man-at-arms beside Rovard looks at him strangely. "There have been no elves sighted for years. They've all died, I've always thought. And who's this famous grandfather of yours?" The other patrons peer closer to hear the young man's answer.


Kheiron

Kheiron trudges through the snow until he arrives at one of the Fort's outbuildings that he was told that Tris resides in. He knocks on the entrance.

“Hello? Tris Brefel? I heard that you have a special task that needs done. I’m interested in hearing the details of this task and offering my services.”
You travel slowly but surely across the snow towards the seamstress' establishment. Even from a distance you can recognize the needle-and-thread sign hanging from her door, emphasized by copper inlays. It is a stone structure leaning on one of the fort's outer walls, with a thick wooded door. Judging from the quality of nearby doors, this one seems to have been mended and polished. It seems very inviting.

The thick door opens with a quiet creak. The stark contrast between the freezing cold outside and the warmth within hits you like a slap in the face. From somewhere nearby within the house, you can hear someone yell "Close the door after you!".
You do so and head into the house, removing the thick scarf tied around your face. You find the seamstress' at work in a nearby room. Bolts of cloth are strewn everywhere across her table and the floor around it. Various instruments litter the table as well, most of which you can't make any sense out of. She raises her head from her needlework to appraise you. "Just a moment." she says, her fingers moving nimbly and surely doing things you can't quite make out.
After a few moments, she finally leaves the uniform she has been working on -- at least you think it's a uniform -- to stand up from her seat and address you.

The seamstress is a woman at the third decade of her life, though not unattractive. Her dirty blond hair is strewn in loose disarray and her windburned face radiates experience and determination. Her eyes are a common dark brown.
"There is something I need done, yes" she says, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You see, on my last winter visit here, I encountered the carcass of a magnificent beast. Its pelt was like strands of liquid platinum, polished to a mirror sheen. I purchased the carcass immediately upon seeing it -- for a hefty sum, you may want to know -- and made a beautiful fur coat of out it. To my surprise, I discovered the fur has intrinsic magical properties as well. Needless to say, I returned to Osserron as soon as the seasons would allow me and sold the coat to... someone quite influential. As the hunters who had found the coat told me there were more such beasts roaming the frontier, I have returned to acquire as many pelts as I can carry. Unfortunately, my skill with hides, furs, silks, and linens does not transfer well to hunting across frozen wilderness. As such, I seek the help of brave warriors such as yourself to aid me in acquiring what I seek. Does this sound like an exploit you would agree to?" she raises her eyebrows quizzically and appraises Kheiron.

[Morbius]

Dexter Morgan

The man mounted on the mule hails the guards and show them something that makes them promptly open the gates, he leaves his proud mount on the stables and makes his way to the last stop. He is still rubbing his hands as he enters the tavern, that is the only thing people can see at first under that heavy cloak but before doing anything else we wanders closer to the fireplace stretches his trembling hands closer to it and stay there for a few minutes. A few long weapon shafts can be seen coming out of the heavy cloak.

Finally when his hands stop shaking he removes his heavy cloak and all behind him can see a large symbol of St. Cuthbert on the shield strapped across his back as well as a smaller symbol painted on the armor as he turns around. He walks heavily towards the counter showing how tired he must be after facing such a storm to reach the fort.

The man sits on the counter as says: “Warm soup if you have please”.

He quickly drinks the liquid and rubs his sleeve on his mouth to clean it.

“Thank you, my name is Dexter Morgan, paladin of St. Cuthbert. And now that I am at the frontier, and my power reestablished…” he stands up, closes his fists and raises his arm “…I shall help you to clean this land from all rot, the monsters, the heretic and any sign that the malign elf may have left behind!” after that little display he seems to be a little dizzy and sits down again. Only then he sees on a corner of the room a young boy that is unconscious, probably due to a bad case of hypothermia.

He is one of those that hear the humorous young one’s tale and think how lucky those bandits were to find the boy and not himself.

Then he asks the barkeep for lodgings disappears in the snow for a while and asks in a loud voice and a large (and somewhat malicious) grin “So, who is up to go out in the frontier and smite some evil?”

[Arkaim]

Kheiron

"That sounds very interesting. My experience with hunting mostly involves small game though. I may need some help for this task. Very well, I accept your offer."

With that said, Kheiron excuses himself and leaves for the Last Stop to Nowhere.

"Let's see now. I'll see of Rovard is interested. Then I'll try to recruit a few more people. Hopefully one or two of them will have experience in the Northern Frontier."

[thisisaspace]

Out in the outskirts of the White Tower Forest, the party stands over the two captured goblin archers who are still pretty out of it.

"Alright gang. What do you say we set up camp for the day before we start interrogating? Let me know what you wanna ask them, and once we're ready, I'll revive them."

[Another_Poet]

Rovard seems exhilirated by the battle. "Do goblins ransom their relatives?" he asks. "I'd ask them how much they think they're worth!"

He sets about cleaning his falchion and patting his mule on the head.

"On and see if he knows where these.... ligers have their den." As he says "liger" he kicks the dead wolf-panther thing, and quickly regrets it as the supernatural cold seeps through his fur boots.

[Morbius]

Dexter

Dexter looks down at the monsters and grips firmly his weapon.

"We also should ask if they know about more goblin bands or any other danger around here. Plus how they were able to take down such beast and if they were hunting it for some special reason"

Dexter walks around them as if measuring the prisioners

"IF they help us I think we should allow them to go... this time. How very lucky they are... Of course they will leave their weapons and armor here. I would also make them leave any warm clothes they have but... damn, a goblin on his underwears?... that's certainly won't be a pretty sight"

[The Bellmaker]

"They are unlikely to just tell us what we want to know. They tried to fight to the death. We may need to resort to...unpleasant methods."
Kaldan says, looking at the others. "Goblins are weak, cowardly creatures, but they weren't working alone." He gestures toward the fallen kobold. "There may be something they fear more than us to lend security to their secrets."

[thisisaspace]

Lars thought about what Dexter is suggesting for a moment, then he shook his head.
"No, they'll just come back prepared and in greater numbers. It might be cruel, but we can't have goblins and kobolds coming after us."
"Not again." Lars mumbles to himself.
"Besides, if there are more of them in this area, I'd like to have a chance that we'd get the drop on them."

"Well, Kaldan, no. I wasn't about to just gonna ask them nicely. But a bit of tact and threats was my idea. If you have a better idea, then by all means speak it."

[Morbius]

After a couple of days the group returns victorious to the fort, Dexter is ahead leading his mule while the others stay next to their prey watching it. He suggests " Let's just deliver the live one to Vilize shall we?"

Assuming no one objects...

Dexter knocks on the door of Vilize's shop and enters: "We are back and bear a... treat". He leads the half elf to the outside and shows him the wolves. "Here is your order a live wolf-tiger-ice beast thing... plus I believe Lars has a map with the location of the probable den of the wolves marked, I say probable because it's just a large patch of snow but on the other hand we were attacked by several wolves as you can see. And the local goblins also indicated that as the place to find the wolves. Finally I believe Kaldan has something that might require your expertise. But that is best left to after we finish this deal, so, is everything as you requested?"

[Arkaim]

Kheiron
Kheiron walks up and stands to the side of Dexter.
"Also, Vilize, do you know of anyone who can skin animals? I fear that we will need an expert in order to salvage any of the fur from the dead ones. And, as conquerors of these creatures, I hereby proclaim that all these creatures be called Snow Wolves because I am sick and tired of calling them wolf things."

[Another_Poet]

((Aww, Arkaim, not ligers? You traitor you... :smallwink:

I can't believe you guys caught multiple live ones! I can't believe I missed it! Was Rovard along for the trip, in NPC mode? Or did you send him back alone at the beginning of the session?))

[thisisaspace]

((I'm sure the seamstress can skin them if we just give her the corpses.))
((and no, we didn't catch multiple live ones, we only have 1 set of manacles, we only saved one of them to live.))

[Maxymiuk]

"Yes, quite, wonderful," Vilize can barely take his eyes off the beast. "Such fur!" he holds his hand out to touch the creature, but jerks it back as frost begins forming on the palm. "Oh! So cold... So was the rumor true? Can it expell an icy breath that freezes all it touches? And you have the lair's location too? Wonderful! 600 for the beast and 300 for the location, was it?" he gets a piece of paper and a quill from his desk and begins to write. "To the... bearer... of... this... Signed... Here!" he signs it with a flourish. "Take this to the fort's treasurer. He shall withdraw the gold from my deposit."

[Morbius]

Dexter takes the note and tries to inspect it... he tries to make out the letters and let slip a small curse then he hands the letter to one of his friends "They have a treasurer here? Meaning that we can keep our gold there as well? Well... anyway, in the time we spent with the beast it used no freezing breath... however as you just saw for yourself direct contact with the beast has a very similar effect.". Dexter looks at the saddened Rovard and continues "But you should indeed be careful with this beast. It is quite vicious, poor Rovard's mule didn't stood a chance when it charged the poor thing, shredded it to pieces before you could blink". Dexter pats his near empty purse and smiles to Vilize "Say... would you be interested in another living specimen?"

[Maxymiuk]

"Be assured that I will take the utmost precautions," Vilize searches through the clutter of his shop, until he finds a thick glove reinforced with leather. "In my field of study, you learn to avoid mistakes quickly," he puts the glove on and uses his thus protected hand to briefly lift one of the creature's hind legs. "I would certainly be interested in another live specimen, Mr. Dexter. As long as the specimen would be a female, of course. Same price as we agreed upon, yes?."

[Morbius]

"Very well, I will talk about that to the others while we deliver the rest of the wolves, but probably they will agree to it. However if possible I would like for the animal's restrains to be more... complete. If you had something you could give us to make it stop trying to bite us on the way back..."(I am assuming the manacles does not contain that already but if they do ignore this last part... man am I glab it was not Max to GM the last game...).


(assuming no one objects once again)
Dexter leaves the shop and leads Emule and it's cargo to the Seamstress's place. Once there he knocks on the door and enters and as as Kheiron seems a bit tired Dexter takes the lead.
"Glad to see you once again mylady, we have here something that might interest you"

[Maxymiuk]

"Oh?" Tris Befel quirks an eyebrow and smiles demurely. "And what would that be, my good man?"

[Another_Poet]

((Still back at Vilize's, sorry for the delayed post...))

Rovard

"The same price? My good man, you know enough about these beasts to know how much harder it will be to take a female!"

He shakes his head. "I've hunted griffons, boars, wolves, bears, all manner of big predator. The females are always toughest. Especially if they have young about - they'll fight with all the ferocity one would expect of a mother! And since the only ones we've caught are male, I suspect the females are indeed taking care of the young somewhere. Surely the greater risk merits a greater price."

[Maxymiuk]

"While I dare not deny your expertise in the field of the hunt," Vilize nods agreeably, "I have every reason to expect that you will nevertheless venture out in search of the beasts once again, if only for the promise of the reward provided by my... rival. And unless all my expertise regarding fauna - large predators among them - is faulty," the half-elf's voice indicates this as highly unthinkable, "then given the number of large predators a habitat such as the Southern Highlands and the White Tower Wood can support in winter, you will run into females of the species regardless."

"And I am paying you more than the imperial ragmaker, no?"

[Another_Poet]

Rovard shrugs. "If we stumble on a female, we can take it, surely. But if you offer no extra incentive, expect no extra effort... Elf."

[Arkaim]

Kheiron, human; Ranger

"Oh?" Tris Befel quirks an eyebrow and smiles demurely. "And what would that be, my good man?"

At this moment, enters the building. His right glove is frosted over.

"To deliver our first patch of snow wolf pelt's, of course." Kheiron grins. "You didn't think we would return without them, did you?"

[The Bellmaker]

Rovard shrugs. "If we stumble on a female, we can take it, surely. But if you offer no extra incentive, expect no extra effort... Elf."

Kaldan flinches as Rovard speaks. "Rovard. Has anyone ever explained to you the...damnfool idiocy of first of all antagonising your employer, and second of all, antagonising a magic-user?" The hooded man shakes his head. "Gods, lad, really? Do you have NO sense of..." He remembers the incident in the inn, and trails off, shaking his head. "Forget it."

[Another_Poet]

"Hmmph!" Rovard turns away from the others. "Call me a fool if you like, but at least I understand the threat these things still pose to us. Thank goodness they're not allowed in the fort."

He'll go outside and let the others handle the negotiations.

[Maxymiuk]

"To deliver our first patch of snow wolf pelt's, of course." Kheiron grins. "You didn't think we would return without them, did you?"

"Of course not," she positively beams at Kheiron. "I do trust it is not too damaged? And you say you got just the one? I do hope that you plan on finding more."

[Morbius]

"Of course not," she positively beams at Kheiron. "I do trust it is not too damaged? And you say you got just the one? I do hope that you plan on finding more."

"Unfortunately the beasts were not so eager to part with their skins, so there are a few cuts and holes in their hide, but I am sure that someone of your skill can fix that, and yes, I said beasts, we brough you three of them" dexter says with a smile

[Maxymiuk]

"How wonderful! Where are they? And how much do I owe you then, again?"

[Morbius]

"They are right here outside mylady, I believe we agreed on 280 gold pieces for each pelt and yes we do plan to look for more beasts"

Dexter unties the rope from emule that was holding the rags on which the wolves were being dragged and takes the gold from the seamstress.

Assuming no one says anything else he turns to the others and says "Why don't we go to the last stop so that we can warm ourselves and share the spoils of this adventure?"

After leaving Emule in the stables he walks with the others to the Last stop and where they shared the loot and boasted about the defeat of the evil goblins that attacked them without provocation and how they the slayed several snow tigerwolves betweem couple ales. Later Dexter visited many shopkeepers for items...

[SlyJohnny]

As Dexter boasts to the supper crowd in The Last Stop, he is watched for much of the night by a tall, muscular elven woman with sandy-coloured hair and piercing hazel eyes, sitting on her own in a corner. She's wearing a simple leather vest and a skirt made of metal strips, and she carries a longsword sheathed over her back.

Just before you leave, she approaches you.

"Evegreet, wanderer. The Saint watches over you. Forgive my impertinence in approaching you so. But I heard your tales of hunting and coin. I have newly arrived to this fortress. I think I will need coin for my own expeditions. Might your party be in need of another sword arm?"

Her eyes seem to pierce through you, and she looks as if she's already familiar with you, which seems odd. You've never met this elf before.

[Morbius]

As Dexter boasts to the supper crowd in The Last Stop, he is watched for much of the night by a tall, muscular elven woman with sandy-coloured hair and piercing hazel eyes, sitting on her own in a corner. She's wearing a simple leather vest and a skirt made of metal strips, and she carries a longsword sheathed over her back.

Just before you leave, she approaches you.

"Evegreet, wanderer. The Saint watches over you. Forgive my impertinence in approaching you so. But I heard your tales of hunting and coin. I have newly arrived to this fortress. I think I will need coin for my own expeditions. Might your party be in need of another sword arm?"

Her eyes seem to pierce through you, and she looks as if she's already familiar with you, which seems odd. You've never met this elf before.

Dexter looks at the elf female as if judging her for a moment then smiles " Grettings from the frontier newcomer, not that I haven't arrived here a few days ago myself. My name is Dexter, paladin of St. Cuthbert. Well... indeed we are going out to hunt these beasts again and well one of our group just informed us that he won't be able to go with us this time... I guess that losing his dear mount was too much for the poor boy" Dexter chuckles. " But I must warn you, the frontier is as much dangerous as you have already probably heard, but these beasts are particularly fierce, one of them shreded the poor mount of one of my companions in seconds. If they are able to hit you with one of their charges they imediataly rend your flesh and while you seem strong I don't know if you could resist such attack. If you do are still interested our employers have so far paid us well and I guess the others won't object having you around"

[The Bellmaker]

After collecting his pay, and taking his share of the loot, Kaldan returns to the inn. He sits at the bar, drinking a goblet of wine, just one, for the night. He smiles into his cup as he listens to Dexter boasting to the crowd, finding the man's actions humourous. He ponders the possibility of perhaps ordering better alchemical equipment, to help improve his table of beakers in his room.

Maybe, he thinks, when the winter is done. I'll put in my order, and send my letter...

Seeing the elf woman speak to Dexter, he makes a mental note to ask him about it later before retiring to his room.

The next morning, he prepares and casts read magic, deciphering Amade's spellbook quickly.

[SlyJohnny]

Four days after Dexter, Kheiron and Kaldan set off with Saeroone, a near-dead elven woman stumbles back into the Fort. Alone.

She looks a lot like Saeroone did, minus a pinky on her right hand and two toes on the right foot, apparently lost to frostbite. And the calm, piercing look she gives people is gone; now she doesn't even seem to see you. She doesn't speak, either, she just murmurs an endless litany of prayers and rosaries through chattering teeth.

[thisisaspace]

While Lars was heading down to the local store for more parchment, he came across the shattered monk. He guides her to the infirmary and asks for soup to be delivered to her. Once she's finished eating Lars spoke to her in a solemn voice:
"It's alright, friend. Try not to blame yourself. You will learn to live with it, trust me, I know."
"Rest for now. If you wish to talk of what happened, or about anything, my door is open to you."

[Another_Poet]

Rovard

After the first expedition for the wolves, Rovard bides his own time at the fort. He can tell he isn't really making any fast friends, and he doesn't know why. Plus, the stablekeeper seems incompetent. The man just can't understand the concept of a battle mule.

"A mule with spirit!" Rovard yells, forgetting that just a week ago he himself thought the idea was quite insane. "A mule that fights! A mule that knows no fear!" The man says such a mule doesn't exist, and simply tries to sell him charging horses.

Sourly, he passes on the second wolf expedition. When he hears of the battered elf's sole return, he runs outside into the snow with only light wool pants on and sprints toward the infirmary.

He's only halfway there, though, when he hears a ruckus.

Before him, in the snowy thoroughfare from the northern gate, is a trail of bloody footprints - presumably from the newly returned elf. Across the street are the stables. And as he looks up, wondering what the noise is, he sees the daft stablekeeper stumble out into the street and start to run away as if he's seen a ghost.

WHAM!

The door of the stable breaks open and out flies a bucking, kicking, jumping bronco of a mule. The thing tears ass across the street to the blood stains and starts to chomp at the red snow, starving for more blood. Steam and snot fly from its snorting nostrils.

"What-ho!" Rovard exclaims. "Jacqueline, your spirit rises again!"

Without a second thought he leaps onto the back of the mule and clings for dear life as it charges to and fro across the street, trying to toss him.

"Taaaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyy hoooooooo!"

((Adding 1 battle mule to my char sheet.))

[SlyJohnny]

Later, one evening, Lars hears a soft rapping on the door of his quarters. Saeroone is standing there, looking a little better: she's finally stopped shivering, anyway, and she's wearing new clothes.

The moment he answers it, she immediately asks him: "You... you said you knew, before. You said that I... would learn to live with it, and to trust you, because you knew. Why? What happened? I want to hear about it, if you are willing to tell me."

[thisisaspace]

"Come in, friend. Come in. I apologize for the mess. I'm working on something right now; a small tool for adventurers. I'd like to imagine that people would be more comfortably discussing combat tactics if they know their enemies wouldn't understand it, so I've been working on a code language for us to use. It's proven to be quite challenging; It has to be easy enough to teach, but hard to decypher without instructions. Well, whether or not people will use it, it's been an engaging hobby to me."

"Oh dear, where are my manners? Would you like something to drink? I brought some tea here from Osseron, an I've been mixing it with a herb tea that the locals enjoy, it's proven to be quite uplifting, you must try it!"
Lars busies himself with a small teapot and stove in the corner of his room.
"Well then, you'd like to hear of my experience in defeat, I take it. Just as well, there has been so few victories... Where to start."
"I think the first was not long after I've arrived here, it was still autumn then. A few of us were running an expedition to the White Tower forest to attempt a rescue of some missing adventurers. We found them dead on the branches of some deformed treant, but that's another story. Our first night out on the frontiers, we were attacked by these skeletal dogs in our slumber. By the end of it, most of us were unconscious bar Baseare, our barbarian, and the man single handedly saved the party from certain death. Now, he was one of the more experienced adventurers in the fort, and being green to the lifestyle as I was then, you can imagine that I was looking up to him, especially after he saved my life. Later on, we came across a minotaur and two men in conflict, so we decided to help the humans. Before I know it, Baseare was laying on the ground and his innards exposed, and the rest of us running for dear life. We were ambushed by kobolds ((I think)) on the way back but we survived it due to the ego of the kobold's leader and some good luck. Nevertheless, the death of Baseare jarred me greatly and brought me face to face with the harsh reality of the frontiers... In a morbid kind of way, I was lucky. Lucky that it was only one person; If I had witnessed what I can only imagine you have as my first adventure, well I'm not certain I would have the resolve to carry on.
Lars walks back over to the teapot and poured two cups of tea, he hands one to Saeroone and sits back down.
"Hmm, what's after that? Ah yes. The Koteare. Long story short, we found this little dragon thing about the size of a cat, called a Koteare. the kobolds thinks they're messengers of gods, and they have to die in order to send the messages. So, being the nice generous man that I am, I thought I'd rescue it. Of course, he was willing to lead us to certain treasure for our trouble, too. We try to take it out of its prison, and we made the kobold's list of public enemy number one. We weren't far from the fort when we hand to have a stand off against the kobolds. Well, we came close to death then. I have to admit we were lucky but not lucky enough, because we were discovered by the Fort patrols just in time, inches away from death and stripped off all we had. I sometimes wonder if I would have done things differently knowing what would happen. Perhaps I would have deviced a better stretegy, or simply redoubled my efforts, but I always imagine I would end up helping the koteare.
Lars takes a long sip of his tea.
"Last one is fairly recent, I suppose. You must have seen Renold Islay from the last caravan? To find this book that he wants, we had to travel through gnoll territory. They asked for a toll of two of us. Well, who in their right mind would agree to that, right? So we fought, and we lost. Every daring effort to turn the table was cut short, and by the end of it, I was the only one conscious. I stood there watching them bind my friends with rope and gags, helpless. They tolled them away, leaving only me and the mage Lumi to wander back to the fort just as the winter storm comes."
He drains the remaining content of his cup down his throat and stood up.
"Would you like another cup?"

[Another_Poet]

Rovard
Finally, he seems to value his fortmates...



Rovard has purchased a hefty blank book ((deducting 15 gp, the price of a blank spellbook)) and sat down in the bar to begin recording the expeditions that have happened so far. This includes the failures as well as the successes. He does this not like a storyteller, to record the living drama, but as a military commander to analyse strategy. One by one he interviews every adventurer at the fort and asks them to rack their memory for details that will be of use to future expeditions. Eventually, he even interviews Saeroone, biting his tongue about the newcomer's elven ancestry (at Lars' advising) to get a complete report out of her. Finally, after weeks of hemming and hawing over his tome, he places it in the Last Stop for anyone to peruse, provided they talk with him before adding new pages.

One night you all get a request from Rovard to come and confer with him at the Last Stop. To sweeten the deal he even tells you he has paid the bar-tender to restart the old DWARVEN BEER FEAST in Conall's memory so all drinks are free tonight ((removing 2 gp from my sheet)).

Finally when you arrive, he announces why he has called the counsel.

"Friends, fellows... elves even... Lend me your ears! I have now recorded the stories of all of us who have gone into the frontier, the living and dead. I know I have not made many friends in my time here. I am young and I am quick to speak my anger. But take heart! For my anger tonight is not at any brave person in this fort, but at the creatures who kill us and carry us off for feed!"

Taking a piece of charcoal from the fire, he clears the table and begins to sketch a battle plan.

"If I have any virtue it is that I come from a family famous for victory and not for defeat. I have been schooled in war since before I could walk, and looking at our expeditions I see why we have such heavy losses. But if we focus on just one threat, the kobolds, and we wait till the right time to strike..."

Thus, he unveils the Unified Plan for Complete Fyonole Domination and Kobold Eradication. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5990794#post5990794)

((Please discuss, preferably in the OOC thread so it goes quicker, and let's get a plan into motion. I'm sick of getting bullied by creatures with CRs measured in fractions.))

[thisisaspace]

"I will take this chance to remind everyone of my own personal record that I've been keeping of my own adventures and any other I was told about. Rovard and I have collaborated and shared what we know toward this effort."

Lars then turn to Rovard so he may continue to bring up his battle plan.
"Warfare, huh? I will help your effort if you need it, but I will express that I cannot commend or condemn your suggestion. At any rate, I will suggest that you talk to Primate Conell Harl, you will likely need his help in defending the Fort once you've captured it, things like repair, patrolmen, et cetera."

[Morbius]

With one of the trade caravans arrives a small halfling, he has no cold gear so he pretty much enters the last stop shaking like a twig on a storm. After spending some time in front of the fire place he asks for some ale hears as much as he can about the frontier, taking notice of Lars' records and decide to avoid this withe tower woods of death that seem to kill so many

(assuming we do FF to the spring)

Then he goes to his quarters and pretty much spends the rest of the winter with his concoctions and drinking, once in a while an small explosion can be hear from his room and he emerges later in a cloud of smoke and his face all black. After a while he let others know that he makes cheap alchemical items and ‘may’ sometimes work on commission.
(rolling craft on the Ooc thread)

[Another_Poet]

Rovard welcomes the newcomer. To Lars, he says, "I agree. But I fear I am not highly regarded by the Primate. Is there someone he respects who could go on our behalf?"

[The Bellmaker]

A few weeks after Saeroone's doomed expedition, a man in strange, ornate armour walks through the gate. He secures his lodgings and leaves his pack there, before heading to the bar for a drink.

Hours later, he still sits there, silent but for an occasional order of a new drink. "..." His thin moustache seems to droop a bit, and his eyes are rather bloodshot. He does not order a refill, but nurses his last drink for the rest of the night, watching the others in the bar.

[Maxymiuk]

The remainder of winter is a dull time to most inhabitants of the fort, punctuated only by the occasional drunken brawl in the "Last Stop". A few patrols get into skirmishes with various undead beasts roaming the winter wastelands, once a large goblin warparty crosses Ilvana and manages to burn down a couple villages before being intercepted by the force sent from the fort.

Spring arrives slowly, fighting back winter inch by inch. When the rivers flow with ice floes (the ones in Vartva being varicolored and sometimes on fire) and the first blades of grass begin to peek out from under the snow, the supply caravan arrives, and with it a new batch of fortune seekers, as well as news and rumors from the rest of the empire.

News:
- Dansek is facing a serious shortage of farmers, as it has been doing for the past decade. This year they've passed a law stating that a criminal sentenced for anything less severe than murder can have his term reduced if he elects to spend it working as a farmhand. Also, the city's dukes have once again approached the Imperial Throne in Osseron with a request to reinstate the "nonhuman indenture laws". Once again, the answer was "No", but as many were quick to notice, this time the Imperial Council has given the request a much longer consideration.
- The city council in Verga passed a law levying additional taxes upon elven merchants and craftsmen working within city walls. This caused quite a stir in the elven community, resulting in a petition being sent to the Imperial Council. So far, there's been no response.
- With Lake Osseron swollen with the spring melt, the capital's northern districts have once again flooded. The overall response was "this way, they at least bathe once a year".

News that's relevant to the Frontier:
- Fort Ebel reports that a giant has been sighted descending the mountains and heading towards the central part of the Frontier. Primate Harl has doubled the western patrols and issued a warning not to engage the giant unless given no other option.
- A small group of elven merchants has arrived with the caravan. Despite being allowed to enter the fort, they've elected to set up a small tent town near the southern highway. They've let it be known that they are seeking elven memorabilia - armor, weapons, jewelery, etc. - and are willing to pay good prices for it. Their spokesman is Agrail Nitze.
- A large party of St. Cuthbert's paladins passed through the fort, on a pilgrimage towards Black Pines. Primate Harl argued with their leader (tavern rumor has it that it consisted of him asking "are you stupid, or what?" in progressively less diplomatic ways), but in the end he let them through.

[Another_Poet]

Rovard

Rovard welcomes the new explorer ((human I presume?)) and tells him of the exploration annals he is compiling with Lars.

He, unsurprisingly, does not go out to talk with the elven arrivals, though he does spend quite a bit of time complaining to fellow round-ears that they're clearly up to something.

"Elven artefacts! those 'artefacts' were used to kill good people! They think we're going to hand them over for a little gold??"

He treats the Cuthbertines with more deference, however, even asking their captain if he could come along on the pilgrimage ((I assume he is turned down)). He also gives the Cuthbertines some key information, in hopes of gaining their assistance...

"Good sir, if you'll hear me, I have important news for you. Several of your Order's great magic items have been spotted in a hidden place..."

Assuming he gets the knights' attention he goes on to explain that he is acting as historian to the fort.

"Last summer, the late dwarf Conall of Conchoran was lowered into a pit underneath one of the frontier's many abandoned castles. There he found the earthly remains of a knight of Saint Cuthbert. The knight was dressed in special magic armour, bearing a magic shield and magic maul. The dwarf was only able to retrieve the maul before a terrific undead chased the whole group out. The party's magus confirmed that the auras on the maul were strong indeed. Sadly, the party was ambushed by kobolds and the maul was stolen.

"At this time, we believe the other two artefacts are still in the pit. Would you have any interest, after your pilgrimage is complete, in helping us to liberate the artefacts and the other treasures the kobolds have stolen? It only seems right that what is Saint Cuthbert's, returns to Saint Cuthbert once more."

He looks at the knight with serious eyes and guages his reaction.

((I don't remember if there was really magic armour and a shield, but that is the story Rovard is sticking with.))

[Talvara]

together with the spring came the arrival of a dwarf, The hardy fellow walked across the bridge into the casle... Greeted the stationed guards with a smile and a blessing and with a puff of dust set his warhammer to the ground.

The dwarf then goes about to sort out buisness like lodgings (he's looking for a nice basement appartment) and getting to know the other adventurer types around the castle. He introduces himself with a smile and states his Name.

"Och I'm Thorik. I came from the south to relay Moradins aid onto every dwarf here, haha and every soul brave enough to venture outside the walls."

After commiting his aid with the next adventuring party the dwarf (altough reluctantly) sets out to buy himself a mule (as to not slow down the group)

[Another_Poet]

Rovard welcomes the newcomer, shows him the annals if he wants to read them, and explains the beer feast and party joint fund to him.

"Don't worry," he says about the donkey. "I didn't like the idea either. You'll get used to it quickly."

((Thanks Talvara :smallsmile: ))

* * * * * * *

((Just to make this official...))

Rovard purchases two sunrods and asks around to see which guard(s) will be at the gatehouse/watchtower the night of the expedition. If it's theone he has angered he will ask someone else to go, otherwise he goes himself.

"I have a request," he tells the guard. "At sunset on the day we leave, activate this sunrod and mount it on the battlement of the watchtower so that it shines like a beacon. We intend to make a beeline for the fort, even traveling in the dark, and we need to know where we are going. There's a second one here if the first one burns out, which will take about 6 hours.

"I'd ask you to do this simply because it could save our lives. But that is not the only thanks you will get. As far as I am concerend, everyone who helps with our expedition - even by simply activating this beacon for us - is an explorer in his own right. And that means that anyone who helps can drink for free at the dwarven beer feast at the Last Stop. If we have an agreement, I'll let the bartender know you're 'on the list.'"

((Max, I assume he agrees unless you say otherwise.))

Rovard also buys two healing potions, nearly exhausting his money.

[thisisaspace]

Concerning Rovard's comments on the elves, if Rovard attempts a conversation on the topic:
"That's enough, Rovard. I won't bother boring you with a lecture, for I doubt it would have prudence, but if you want to talk of such talk, you may find someone else. I'll also ask you to refrain words like that if we are to share each other's company in the future."

[Morbius]

After less than a day away Milo and his friends return to the fort with as much loot as their mounts may carry, after some squabbling over the loot (as usual with any group of adventurers) they drink and party all night, for the next days Milo buys more quality items to better face the frontier, a new and stronger bow, a shiny(ahem, I mean dark) new armor set, he decides to test his gear and goes out to hunt, never going very far from the fort (not that he is afraid to face the dangers of the frontier alone…imagine that) when he sees some movement after some trees he crouches and approaches cautiously, it seems some big animal… “A deer?” he thinks to himself, “Perhaps if I aim right I can take him down before he can reach me or run away…” but when he gets closer he sees… a riding dog. The animal has a torn saddle with blood stains on his back and seemed tired and had one of the legs hurt…. As Milo approaches he recognizes the saddle as the same kind they sell on the fort. “He must have been the mount for some adventurer…”

The dog quickly notices him and Milo speaks to it:
“Hey there boy, lost your master?”

The dog growls and Milo takes step back, then he remembers that he brought a single piece of jerky, he gets it out of his pocket and slowly puts it on the ground and steps back a little. The dog smells it and jumps on the piece of dried meat as if he has not been eating for days.

“Calm, down, calm down, I am not your enemy… and the frontier is not a place to wander alone… so why don’t we travel together?”

He slowly approaches the dog again, this time it makes no sound and Milo pats his head.

“There, there, everything will be ok, come with me, I will get you a large chunk of meat on the fort…”

Once in the fort it takes the dog to the stable and after feeding it and having someone take care of it’s wounds it seems much happier, Milo takes his torn saddle and let it rest for the rest of the day.

On the following days as it recovers Milo plays with him, rides him and discovers it even knows how to track anything whose smell is presented to him

[Another_Poet]

Rovard becomes quiet and sullen when his friend's hard words. He doesn't understand why everyone defends the monstrous races.

((Max, what was the attitude of the St Cuthbert folks toward my proposal (see spoiler)?))


Rovard
He also gives the Cuthbertines some key information, in hopes of gaining their assistance...

"Good sir, if you'll hear me, I have important news for you. Several of your Order's great magic items have been spotted in a hidden place..."

Assuming he gets the knights' attention he goes on to explain that he is acting as historian to the fort.

"Last summer, the late dwarf Conall of Conchoran was lowered into a pit underneath one of the frontier's many abandoned castles. There he found the earthly remains of a knight of Saint Cuthbert. The knight was dressed in special magic armour, bearing a magic shield and magic maul. The dwarf was only able to retrieve the maul before a terrific undead chased the whole group out. The party's magus confirmed that the auras on the maul were strong indeed. Sadly, the party was ambushed by kobolds and the maul was stolen.

"At this time, we believe the other two artefacts are still in the pit. Would you have any interest, after your pilgrimage is complete, in helping us to liberate the artefacts and the other treasures the kobolds have stolen? It only seems right that what is Saint Cuthbert's, returns to Saint Cuthbert once more."

He looks at the knight with serious eyes and guages his reaction.

((I don't remember if there was really magic armour and a shield, but that is the story Rovard is sticking with.))

Rovard's Totally Humane Interrogation Sessions

Rovard prepares the prisoner by making sure that the guards give him only basic gruel or stale bread, standard prison stuff, and only once a day. Just water to drink and not much of it. Nowhere to empty the chamberpot. That kind of stuff.

After about 5 days, he goes in person to see the prisoner. (He brings a translator if necessary.) He enters the cell and closes the door, then removes the prisoner's bindings (if any). He brings with him cured ham, fresh fruit, boiled eggs and some nicer bread: all the essentials of a rich and satisfying meal. These he gives to the kobold, and he lets him eat without asking for anything in return.

Once the kobold is done he speaks with him.

"I'm sorry about the conditions. The guards don't have much respect for outsiders. I'll try to keep you better cared for from now on.

"I want you to know that I've been impressed by your race's willingness to see reason. I'll tell you this right now, I don't want your life, just information on the frontier. If you will work with me, I'll let you go free this summer. I just want your help."

Here are the questions he asks:
BULL-MAN
-What is the bull-man after?
-Is "bull-man" a giant human body with a bull's head? Or something else?
-Does he have other dig sites currently, or just the one we saw?
-Where are the other dig sites (if any)?

KOBOLDS
-How long has he forced your people to work?
-Are all kobolds in the frontier ruled by him?
-If not, how many other kobold groups are there?
-Why don't you all just leave the area to get away from him?
-Where did you live before the Bull-man came? Do some kobolds still live there?

OTHER RACES
-Why do the goblins work for the bull-man?
-Where are the goblins' homes?
-Do the kobolds get along with the goblins?
-What do you know about the gnolls?
-Why do the gnolls take prisoners?
-Do the kobolds or goblins get along with the gnolls?
-Are there any other races out there that you know of?

ALLIANCE
-Do you think your people would be open to working with us, as allies, against the bull-man?
-Against the goblins?
-Against the gnolls?

Rovard understands it may be too much to get all this in a single session. He'll settle for a few questions a day. He brings food every time he comes, but tells the guards to keep giving the usual slop to the kobold as well. One day he'll bring a blanket and pillow.

If the kobold doesn't seem to want to answer a particular question, Rovard will let it go without pressuring him. However, another day he'll bring it up again.

"Here's the thing," he'll say, "The fort's priest really fears kobolds. But I'd like him to come take a look at you, to make sure you don't catch a disease in this dreadful place and to see what he can do for your wounds. These questions are really important to some of them. Give me something to work with so I can talk him into coming down."

Stockholm syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome) for the win!

[Maxymiuk]

The paladins resond with a guarded "perhaps". I seems they are far more preoccupied with Black Pines and Brandon's Pass.

[Another_Poet]

((Thanks.))

((As per Morbius' suggestion I will start with questions abotu goblins and gnolls and the bull-man, and only later ask about kobolds. Even then I will only ask about the kobolds casually. No "Where is your village, how many guards, how thick are the walls" types of questions. More like, "So this bull-man took you all captive? What, aren't there any other kobolds who could've helped you? Where were they?" As if we're not interested as much in the kobolds as in the other races.

So, you have my list of questions and my Stockholm tactics - what kinds of answers do I get over the next couple of weeks?))

[Arkaim]

Palo, Human Diviner
((Purchased an empty one hundred page book for 15 gold pieces. He also purchases a potion of mage armor for 50 gold pieces.))



For the first time in a long while, I am able to sleep soundly. Strange considering I'm so near what has been the doom of so many past adventurers. Yet, I am certain I've done the right thing. We faced evil and conquered. The goblins are destabilized and their plans have been exposed. We will return and deliver the crippling blow. We have also freed some kobold slaves at the pleas of their leader. Perhaps we have made a new ally in our fight against the hateful Frontier? Perhaps we can be their guiding light so that they may embrace a more civilized culture?

In any case, Rovard is right not to trust them. They have betrayed before. They have embraced evil before. We shall keep them at arms length in our dealings with them so that we can see their treachery and smite them from this world. It would be a shame, true, however, it will be all the more shameful to give them our trust and have it raped. We must stay vigilant. We will conquer the Northern Frontier.
Palo sighs and closes his journal. He turns to the scrolls Lars has so kindly given him and casts read magic. Once he has deciphered the spells, he will spend a day studying each of them.
Ray of Enfeeblement: DC 16
Spellcraft check: [roll0]
Grease: DC 16
Spellcraft check: [roll1]
Nystul's Magic Aura: DC 16
Spellcraft check: [roll2]

Palo will then spend 100 gold pieces to copy the spell Ray of Enfeeblement into his spellbook.

Edit: ((I'm not exactly sure how scribing scrolls work. But, I'll give it a shot. Tell me if I'm doing it wrong.))

Palo spends 2 experience point and 25 gold piecing to scribe a scroll of shield, caster level 2.

[Maxymiuk]

Upon hearing about the goblins setting up an outpost so near to Fort Tulder, Primate Harl immediately dispatched three full patrols and an engineer team to collapse the tunnels.

They found the outpost cleared of anything salvageable an abandoned. The engineers caved in the entrance and returned to the fort.

[Another_Poet]

Rovard storms into the Primate's quarters, apparently quite upset with the man.

"Primate, I need a word with you. A few words in fact!

"What is this of dispatching troops and engineers to the goblin mine? Without even consulting us? Why that's centaur manure and you know it!

"Why, the very thought turns my stomach - after your unbelievably apathetic behavior towards keeping the fort safe! Your management of the fort's security should be considered treasonous for allowing goblins to compromise it in the first place - so few patrols, so little presence in the hinter! And we go and find this threat, and make our plans to demolish it, and I have a prisoner down there telling me what we might unearth there, and you seal it up without so much as a word with us? Miserable!

"I'll have you know that such performance would have had you hanged during the Unfinished War. Better men went to the gallows for less, I'll say! Have you no sense of order or military discipline? No pride in your charge? A band of yahoos could take “your” job more seriously.

"And I must say that it would be no surprise to me--and I hope that this isn't the case, but it would be no surprise--if fell elven spies had you assigned to this critical fort on account of your carelessness. You let a number of them walk within its walls, for the love of the gods! This fort might actually be easierto overturn with your shoddy supervision, overrun from right under you!

"If you have any honour left, you might do us the favour of falling on your sword so that a more competent being could be assigned in your place!"

And so on.

Of course, he sits down on one of the Primate's overstuffed chairs and reaches for the snifter of cognac, fully expecting that his words will be taken in stride and that similarly low insults will be heaped back on him, a friendship or bonding ritual perhaps, simply what alpha males do for amusement. As he finishes his tirade he feigns disinterest in ahy answer, yet is almost giddy waiting for the Primate's response.

After all, it is an honour that a base-born officer like this would be allowed to trade insults with a lord's son like "one of the lads."

[thisisaspace]

((Unless you planned on sneaking in or, god forbids, making an appointment to deliver your speech, I think you'd be stopped by guards. For the sake of a more interesting RPing opportunity though, I hope Max would let that technicality pass :p ))

[Another_Poet]

((It depends. I suppose the Primate might see one of the adventurers if we came a-knocking. Alternately he might just have his dor open to get a nice cross-breeze with the pleasant spring weather. Who knows....))

[Arkaim]

((You seem to have shocked the Primate into silence, Poet.))

[thisisaspace]

Once the party has arrived back at the party and given time to rest upon the event that passed, Lars begin drafting a letter describing the short but significant event that happened at the mine. In the letter Lars also describe his suspicion that this could be the same tactics that the elves used during the war against the humans. Lars will look further into it to make sure.
He'll send a copy of the letter to Primate Harl and Rovard, one each. Then he'll deliver the news to the general adventurer and Halone's death. Leaving out the part about elven tactics until he's sure.
"So, with great condolences, I ask any of you who knows of Halone's family to inform them of the sad news. For a detail report of the event, it will be available in the Chronicle."

((If it's okay, Lars will like to look over his books and resources, not to mention any record/library the fort has, if it has one, concerning the elven tactics in question. You know where my sheet is, so make any check you feel is needed))

After hearing that some of the adventurer are talking revenge of the worm creatures, Lars pays a visit to Vilize.
"Good day, Ester. How is business?"
"I come with a request. First of all, are you taught in the making of scrolls? Back in the clergy of Osseron where I learned my cleric ways, scrollmaking is not a required study. It's not like there was a shortage of mages who would provide their help in that aspect, heheheh."

[Talvara]

the demoralised dwarf that came back with the latest group sulks around in his basement room for a while. before deciding to head over to the inn and do the only thing a dwarf could do when faced with loss of a comrade.

Thorik stumbles over to the barkeep and begins to talk with the man "I've 'eard somethin about a dwarven beer feast o' somethin. a fine tradition it be, but us dwarfs don't just drink in celibration, we also raise our glass in grief, Tonight I'll pay fer every man an lass that raises their glass in 'alsones honour aye... I know he was new, an not many knew the lad, but its the least we can do" The dwarf then orders a drink for himself and raises his glass and with a loud voice that can be heard through the entire inn and even a little into the streets outside he shouts "To 'Alsone Bladeson! drinks be on me fer all tha raise their in his 'onour aye!

((ill remove 2 GP from my sheet. which seems to be the going rate for a beerfeast.))

[Arkaim]

((Purchased a scroll of mage armor using 25 gold from the adventurers' fund.))


I call myself a diviner? I am naught, but a fool! I, of all people, should know the dangers the unknown. Aberration are always more than they appear. Yet, when I saw the monster, I dismissed it as a threat because of its semblance of a helpless worm. Thorik smashing one into paste did not improve my assessment of their capabilities, either. Unfortunately, Thorik never again did he handle them with such ease.

And what was so dangerous about these monstrosities? It took no stretch of the imagination to attribute the goblin's strange behavior to the manipulation of the aberration within them. No, what these vile creatures surprised us with their paralyzing poison. It was devastating. I was afflicted by its venom and became helpless. I couldn't do anything! Halone met a worst fate. That abomination has taken his body prisoner.

No matter what it takes, I will purge that aberration from his body. I was his comrade, and I failed him. It is my responsibility to restore Halone's dignity. Tomorrow I shall muster as many able warriors as I can and set forth a mighty crusade that will crush those bugs beneath our heels. By fate, by virtue, and by strength will I cleanse the Northern Frontier.

Palo closes his journal and sets it aside. He walks over to his bed, retrieves a box from beneath his pillow, and takes out the tarot cards. One short pray later, he shuffles the deck and unveils his fate.

[Morbius]

What returns to the fort is not Milo, but a shadow of his former self, he claims not to remember anything after he was paralyzed by the worm, perhaps he blocked the memory, or maybe just don't want to talk about it, who knows…. When he hears that dog meat is now…. dog meat he cries.

In the next day he does not eat, maybe it’s the pain on his throat, maybe he is simply sad, he spends the entire day mourning his new friend. On the morning of the next day he decides to go to the same small patch of trees where he first found dog meat, he simply lies there in the ground, sad and at the same time planning his revenge against those creatures. Then he looks to his side and sees a dog, just like Dog Meat. Milo jumps back and points his arrow at the dog then he looks closer he realizes that while it looks a lot like dog meat it is different...

Milo starts to walk away, and the dog simply follows him. He remains puzzled and starts to wonder if that little patch of trees may be enchanted somehow...

[Maxymiuk]

Rovard storms into the Primate's quarters, apparently quite upset with the man.

"Primate, I need a word with you. A few words in fact!

((because I've procrastinated long enough on this, I think...))

The Primate's frown deepens steadily as the young noble's tirade goes on, and his hand strays down to the hilt of his sword. However, he remains silent until Robard is done.

"If you truly believe what you say, dear sir, and by the passion in your voice, I'd venture that you do, then I would humbly suggest you address your concerns to my superiors in Osseron. I am sure that they will give all due consideration to a man of your intelligence, experience, and tactical acumen. In fact, I would applaud your decision if you were to leave to inform them of my shortcomings immediately."

The Primate allows himself a dry smile.

"Should you decide to stay, in order to... collect more evidence of my incompetence, however, I would only ask that in the future, you have the good grace to refrain from intruding upon my privacy. Good day to you, noble sir."

[Arkaim]

Palo, From inside the tower.

First, Palo casts detect poison on the ground.

Second, Palo casts detect magic and concentrates for three rounds.

((What Palo will do next may change depending on what he sees during detect magic. I'll wait for a response before posting his next action.))

[Another_Poet]

"A politician in a soldier's job," Rovard says with a mixture of disgust and disappointment that the Primate won't join in a sporting round of insults and cursing.

* * * * * * *

After hearing and reading the party's description of their expedition to the mine, Rovard updates his own chronicle and gives thought to what occurred.

He speaks with some of the other adventurers when Jack is not around. "I think it was great that you were able to save poor Jack," he says. "I notice that you placed a cure spell on him before you began to open him up... Based on everyone's description, I don't think he would have survived the surgery if you hadn't. I suppose it should be standard policy to always cure a party member of their wounds before attempting field surgery, to maximise their chance of living..."

He also is quite impressed with Palo's accurate predictions using his tarot cards. But... something unsettles him.

When he asks for a demonstration, Palo does a reading on the upcoming expedition to the shrine of Obad-Hai. For some reason, the tarot reading forecasts death and ruin, utter destruction.

Paranoid, Rovard races around the fort gathering supplies. But he is undeterred and begins to prepare in earnest...

((Max, can I please get an update on the kobold interrogation?))

[Kyouhen]

Jerald Eftlem - Human

Jerald reaches the fort, covered in dirt and sweat from the travel. He cursed spending so much time over books the last few years. He also cursed neglecting to purchase a mount for the trip, making a mental note to do just that later.

His first order of business is to secure himself a place to stay and clean up a bit. A scholar must look his best at all times after all, wouldn't want to be mistaken for some dirty barbarian. Once finished, eager to start on his work he asks around to find out if there are any expeditions planned. He gets a few strange looks, likely stemming from his lack of eyebrows, but ignores them. Learning of an expedition quickly approaching (and likely too soon for him to be properly prepared for such a trip) he promises himself he will find the group before they leave and see if there is still room for one more.

Realizing that the fort is filled primarily with soldiers Jerald finds himself having mixed feelings. On the one hand, it means there's few to no civilians in the area and anyone who's here has a good chance of surviving any mishaps he may cause. On the other, they would no doubt be quick to feed him to the local wildlife if he were to accidentally animate the walls or summon a small army of demons. He would have to be careful with his research, or would need to keep an eye open for a secure location outside of the fort to perform his experiments. (Assuming he ever finds anything worth experimenting on out here, of course.)

Jerald's next destination is Ester's shop. Finding the elf he quickly introduces himself.

"Greetings, friend! I am new to this region and had heard you were researching the effects magic is having on the local wildlife. I too am interested in the effects of the strange magic surges and their unpredictable nature, and was hoping I could learn some things from you."

He then begins questioning Ester on things such as patterns in how magic is manifesting itself, possible ways magical energy is being introduced into the creatures, how quickly the creatures adapt to their new powers and how reliable the powers seem to be for them.

((Quick question, I didn't see anything about it in this thread, but is that Kobold prisoner still here?))

[Morbius]

As the group returns from their second raid at the tower on the forest, very little is spoken about the expedition itself, the group pays a visit to Vilize as soon as they arrive however.

"Mr. Vilize, we have found this creature in the frontier, would you happen to have any interest on it?" Milo asks as the worm is show to the elf.

"This is one of the creatures that were giving us so much trouble, I don’t know if Lars told you about them, really nasty critters, their bites don't won't take a man down, but their poison surely will, the first symptom is nausea, causing their prey, in this cause us, to be unable to defend itself, they latch on you and don't let you go no matter what, later you become paralyzed from the poison and the start to make your way down your throat!, yes you heard that right, once in there you become nothing more than a shell for them to use as they please, and a though shell I must say, the skin of the creatures they possessed were spongy and hard to damage, but after you destroy their previous victim they crawl out of the destroyed body and try to get you”

Milo’s hand shake for a moment

“They were to troublesome to capture, so we could only bring you a dead one, so I ask, how much is this worth for you? Oh yes, they also seem to be somewhat intelligent or capable of obeying commands at least as we found the goblins they were using as shells digging a hole using mining tools”

((depending on what max says about Arkaim previous post I may continue to make questions))

[Another_Poet]

Rovard's original interrogation reposted

Rovard prepares the prisoner by making sure that the guards give him only basic gruel or stale bread, standard prison stuff, and only once a day. Just water to drink and not much of it. Nowhere to empty the chamberpot. That kind of stuff.

After about 5 days, he goes in person to see the prisoner. (He brings a translator if necessary.) He enters the cell and closes the door, then removes the prisoner's bindings (if any). He brings with him cured ham, fresh fruit, boiled eggs and some nicer bread: all the essentials of a rich and satisfying meal. These he gives to the kobold, and he lets him eat without asking for anything in return.

Once the kobold is done he speaks with him.

"I'm sorry about the conditions. The guards don't have much respect for outsiders. I'll try to keep you better cared for from now on.

"I want you to know that I've been impressed by your race's willingness to see reason. I'll tell you this right now, I don't want your life, just information on the frontier. If you will work with me, I'll let you go free this summer. I just want your help."

Here are the questions he asks:
BULL-MAN
-What is the bull-man after?
-Is "bull-man" a giant human body with a bull's head? Or something else?
-Does he have other dig sites currently, or just the one we saw?
-Where are the other dig sites (if any)?

KOBOLDS
-How long has he forced your people to work?
-Are all kobolds in the frontier ruled by him?
-If not, how many other kobold groups are there?
-Why don't you all just leave the area to get away from him?
-Where did you live before the Bull-man came? Do some kobolds still live there?

OTHER RACES
-Why do the goblins work for the bull-man?
-Where are the goblins' homes?
-Do the kobolds get along with the goblins?
-What do you know about the gnolls?
-Why do the gnolls take prisoners?
-Do the kobolds or goblins get along with the gnolls?
-Are there any other races out there that you know of?

ALLIANCE
-Do you think your people would be open to working with us, as allies, against the bull-man?
-Against the goblins?
-Against the gnolls?

Rovard understands it may be too much to get all this in a single session. He'll settle for a few questions a day. He brings food every time he comes, but tells the guards to keep giving the usual slop to the kobold as well. One day he'll bring a blanket and pillow.

If the kobold doesn't seem to want to answer a particular question, Rovard will let it go without pressuring him. However, another day he'll bring it up again.

"Here's the thing," he'll say, "The fort's priest really fears kobolds. But I'd like him to come take a look at you, to make sure you don't catch a disease in this dreadful place and to see what he can do for your wounds. These questions are really important to some of them. Give me something to work with so I can talk him into coming down."

Stockholm syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome) for the win!

Further methods based on Morbius' help, reposted
((Thanks.))
As per Morbius' suggestion I will start with questions about goblins and gnolls and the bull-man, and only later ask about kobolds. Even then I will only ask about the kobolds casually. No "Where is your village, how many guards, how thick are the walls" types of questions. More like, "So this bull-man took you all captive? What, aren't there any other kobolds who could've helped you? Where were they?" As if we're not interested as much in the kobolds as in the other races.

So, you have my list of questions and my Stockholm tactics - what kinds of answers do did I get over the next couple of past few weeks?

Figured I'd put everything in one place for you... *nudge nudge*

[The Bellmaker]

An old man arrives at the fort. With a silver beard to rival a Dwarf's, he makes inquiries around the general adventurer population of the fort as to Kaldan, his life at the fort, and his death.

He introduces himself as Baz, and asks about the general history of the adventures, and what they have seen in the North.

After a day or two of speaking with the adverturing populace, he sems to come to a decision. He informs the next expedition that he will accompany them, saying, "I'm a old man, true, but I would see these things before I die. I fought in the War, but this...this is different. This is..." he reaches for a word, "Adventure. Yes, I like the sound of that. Adventure..."

[Maxymiuk]

@Poet:

Primate would not let kobold, goblin etc. prisoners to be kept at the fort. If I recall, you were using Vilize's cages for that purpose.

In fact, according to my notes, there's already a kobold and a goblin there, which you completely forgot about. Vilize hasn't, and upon you trying to stick another one in there, presents you with a bill of 15gp 12sp for feeding the other two.

[thisisaspace]

((We didn't forget about the last kobold, but I don't think any of those that captured him are still alive, if I recall correctly.))

[Another_Poet]

((Does anyone care if we pay this out of the adventurer fund? Rovard is broke...))


@Poet:
Primate would not let kobold, goblin etc. prisoners to be kept at the fort. If I recall, you were using Vilize's cages for that purpose.

In fact, according to my notes, there's already a kobold and a goblin there, which you completely forgot about. Vilize hasn't, and upon you trying to stick another one in there, presents you with a bill of 15gp 12sp for feeding the other two.


Okay, then we pay it when I first bring in the kobold. And I do the same routine at Vilize's as I would've done at the fort. Upon seeing the other two, I apologise to all of them for the circumstances and promise I will make sure to bring them better food, etc. I only interview the one I captured, however, and I keep him separate from the other two so he can't talk with them.

Now, can we have answers?

[Maxymiuk]

Here are the answers Poet gets:

BULL-MAN
-What is the bull-man after?
He didn't tell that to any of his subordinates. The kobold thinks that even he himself may not have known.
-Is "bull-man" a giant human body with a bull's head? Or something else?
Yes. Besides, Lars already got confirmation of this creature being a minotaur by conversing with Mae'le in his native language.
-Does he have other dig sites currently, or just the one we saw?
Don't know.

KOBOLDS
-How long has he forced your people to work?
The outpost you've attacked has been established at the end of fall.
-Are all kobolds in the frontier ruled by him?
No.
-If not, how many other kobold groups are there?
A number.
-Why don't you all just leave the area to get away from him?
Risk of retribution against kobolds still remaining in slavery. They can only get away with disappearing if there's a credible reason, say, a bunch of humans come in and slaughter everyone.
-Where did you live before the Bull-man came? Do some kobolds still live there?
The kobolds were assigned to the goblin warparty led by several minotaurs that came from beyond the Cloudrend several years ago.

OTHER RACES
-Why do the goblins work for the bull-man?
Because he leads them.
-Where are the goblins' homes?
Their main camp - from what the kobold tells you, you get the impression it's more of a small city by now - is located in White Tower Woods.
-Do the kobolds get along with the goblins?
Goblins are free. Kobolds aren't. So short answer, no.
-What do you know about the gnolls?
They live somewhere in the west. They sometimes trade with the goblins - generally, they bring high quality weapons and armor and exchange it for slaves.
-Why do the gnolls take prisoners?
Don't know.
-Do the kobolds or goblins get along with the gnolls?
As he said, goblins trade with the gnolls. Free kobolds have to hide from them, or be captured.
-Are there any other races out there that you know of?
Apparently there's humans that somehow manage to make a living deep in the White Tower Wood. There's constant skirmishes between them and goblin patrols.

ALLIANCE
-Do you think your people would be open to working with us, as allies, against the bull-man?
-Against the goblins?
-Against the gnolls?
Unlikely. Humans (Tulder patrols, you think) take potshots ate everything they come across. The only reason Mae'le approached the group was because he feared for the fate of kobolds in the mine.

[Kyouhen]

((Wait, someone put a goblin in there too? Damn I wish more of this stuff got into the thread. :smalltongue:))

[Maxymiuk]

((Something I forgot to add - Vilize paid 120gp for the worm carcass and asks if you could bring him a live one too))

[Mangles]

Danlo Strong Arm

Danlo strolls into the fort after having enjoyed the hike there.
Finding the first guard he inquires where the tavern is and as an after thought, if he can find lodging close too it. He heads over to the Last Stop to Nowhere and seeks out accommodation near by.

Feeling a bit parched after his search Danlo heads to the tavern. He seeks out the barkeep and after ordering a drink, asks loudly enough to be overheard, "So who do I need to talk to, to find a little adventure around here, in any case if anyone is looking for a hand you can tell them where they can find me."

[Another_Poet]

-Where are the goblins' homes?
Their main camp - from what the kobold tells you, you get the impression it's more of a small city by now - is located in White Tower Woods.


This particularly worries Rovard. He will try to find out how far into the woods the city is, and a rough idea of how far NSEW. If the kobolds balks, or says he doesn't know, Rovard will remind him that these goblins are the kobolds' enemies and any information he can give is only going to help see those enemies undone.

He will also ask about the alleged humans in the White Tower Woods. He especially wants to know if they are druids - he asks whether they seem to talk to animals, and whether they ever carry golden sickles.

[Talvara]

With another near death experience under his belt and this time one of his own thorik heads to the last stop for some rest and relaxation.

there the dwarf meets a new arival. Thorik introduces himself to the barbarian, and buys him and himself a mug of the best booze available((ill remove 2 sp from my sheet for this)). Thorik rambles about about the dangers out there, but in the end it prettymuch comes down to... "I pray tha 'orrors o the north be spared on ya mate"

The time in between adventures he will spend shopping for healing materials. socialising with the adventurers and regularly checking up on Manara and Jack.

[SlyJohnny]

The group that set off for the temple returns, battered, bloody, but vaguely triumphant. They seem to have made bets with the guard bookies, betting on themselves to live: Jack smugly raises a golden sickle above his scraped and bloodied head, and tells the guard to pay up. He seems to be in high spirits, and eager to return.

Later in the tavern, he raves on about his latest theory to anyone who'll listen; "I've been listening to your tales from before I came, and the problem is that the Frontier teems with so much variety and mutation. Every time you engage a new group of enemies you don't know how to fight, you come off the poorer for it. But usually when you head back to engage them the NEXT time, you do better. You know what to expect, you see? Like with the worms. When we were prepared for them, we made a go of it.

"So it was with these giant insects we found: the fight went poorly at first, but once we managed to pull back into a solid defensive formation, they battered against us like waves breaking off a cliff." Jack says, glossing over the fact that it was a hard-won victory even once they pulled together.

"We should return as soon as we have rested and resupplied, and loot the rest of the place. This time, we will crush all before us."

He turns to the new arrival. "What say you, stout? Will you accompany us this time, if one or two of the others do not wish to come? You look as if you'll be handy with those javelins you carry."

[Another_Poet]

Rovard

Rovard agrees heartily with Jack. "We should go as soon as we can muaster enough people," he says.

He introduces himself to the newcomer and asks the man about his abilities and skills, and what sorts of battles he's been in.

[Kyouhen]

Jerald

Jerald returns tired, but in much better condition than his comrades. Aside from an unpleasant pair of bruises on his forehead ("It was an enchanted tree I swear! Attacked me when I had my eyes closed!") he seemed to have gotten through without any harm. After the staff is identified Jerald approaches his allies.

"That is quite a lovely staff, I was wondering if perhaps I would be permitted to keep it. The rest of you can split my share of the wealth, I'm just interested in the staff."

"As for another expedition, I would definitely like to further examine the hole those bugs were coming out of. Perhaps we could find a nest and a few eggs... Maybe there's even a queen! Actually, come to think of it I probably should have checked the rest of those bugs after we had finished fighting to see if any could be saved... Also I just realized I left my other smokestick there..."

[Another_Poet]

Rovard is fine with Jerald taking the staff, if it comes out of his share of money. ((Though I suspect the staff is wort more than his share of money...))

When he hears that Vilize will only buy one of the dead bugs, Rovard decides to put the other dead ones to use.

He buys several glass flasks, and gets a makeshift funnel. (Or "tundish" as he prefers to call it.)

He then hangs one dead bug from a tree branch by its hind legs. He places the funnel under it, dons leather gloves and carefully cuts into the bug with a dagger. He cuts near whatever orifice the bugs used to spew acid.

Carefully, he milks the acid out into the flask via the funnel. If there is any spray he quickly moves away and, if needed, removes his gloves before the acid eats through.

One by one he fills the flasks with acid, milking each bug dry.

((If there are any checks to make, Max, please let me know what to roll. If anyone wants to Aid Another that is also appreciated.

Otherwise Max just let me know how many acid flasks we can get out of the entire group of bugs. Thank you.))

[thisisaspace]

Any progress on Lars' research regarding the worms? I'll look into any local records and ask any veteran from the war about the worms, and ask Vilize about what he found out from the worm's corpse.
Lars want to confirm his suspicion about whether the worms are the same thing as how during the war, the elves started using some kind of creature to control captured humans, to send them back against their comrades. Any information about whether the worms are related to the effect on the land Lars witnessed, or anything on the land corruption at all, would be a bonus.
((I'll take 20 is it's possible on any checks, otherwise make any check needed. My Gather Information bonus is +2, and my knowledge checks are numerous.))

[thisisaspace]

Lars makes his way through the crowd in the Last Stop to the bar, he takes an empty glass and tapped it with his dagger. Once he has the room's attention, he begins to speak.
"Adventurers and friends, I have an announcement to make. I am glad to tell you that the code language I have been working on is finally ready for use. Those of you who I've talked to would have known about this project already, but for those of you that were not informed, the code language, which I have dubbed 'Tuldurian', is an easy to learn language to deliver simple but crucial commands and information to your comrades without worrying about your enemies knowing your strategy. I will hold a class tomorrow at noon, and I have prepared booklets which you can get from Evric at the bar, and it will contain all you need to know to speak and understand, and even to teach Tuldurian. Yes, I don't like to toot my own horn, but if I may say I have really outdone myself this time. Tuldurian is so easy to learn that it will only take you an afternoon to master, and any outsider who hear it cannot possibly decypher the language without instruction, not to mention knowing the keyword which would be pre-arranged by the party before their day begins."
"Lady and gentlemen, I thank you for your time, and have a good day."
Lars then bows, and head over to place a notice on the wall.


Attention Fellow Adventurers
Do you find yourself hesitate to inform your friends and comrades of a cunning strategy because your enemies could hear it too? Don't deprive yourself of victory, learn Tuldurian!
Tuldurian is easy to learn and effective, ask Evric for a booklet, now!

[Maxymiuk]

((@space: You can't take 20 on knowledge checks, since they're supposed to represent fixed character knowledge that you either have or you don't. There's no "remembering it harder"))

@Poet:

The kobold says that the goblin settlement lies somewhere along the river. He can't give you an exact location and distance, since before being sent out to the outpost you've raided, he didn't exactly have the opportunity to explore the woods freely.

As for the humans, he hasn't ever encountered them personally, or met anyone who did (and survived) so he just doesn't know.

[Mangles]

"Thanks for the drink". Danlo is a bit shaken by the ramblings of his new friend, but still resolved that he made the right decision. "My village was sheltered from the war, though my farther was taken to fight i was left behind to farm", looking a bit embarrassed he continues, "I'm afraid all that I have fought is the game that I hunted and the local riff-raff. I have not seen battle myself, but my arm is stronger than most and I am a fair shot with the javelin."

[Kyouhen]

Jerald

Before Jerald is able to make a claim on them, Rovard runs off with the spare corpses. Jerald follows along, not wanting to let them go to waste. Seeing what Rovard is attempting his (very basic) training tells him it's wrong.

"Hold friend, that is far from the best way to do it. We could put these corpses to good use and would not want to waste anything we can harvest from them. I have some basic knowledge of how to go about harvesting the acid from these, though with these specimens I question if they would be enough. Do you know of anyone better skilled we could ask for help?"

[Another_Poet]

Rovard accepts Jerald's help and suggests Lars be brought in on the operation as well.

((Lars, Jerald, will the two of you please roll a Know: Nature and a Craft Alchemy? You can both attempt the knowledge check separately; if either succeeds, whoever has higher ranks in Craft: Alchemy should make that check, and both of us will Aid Another on it.

[roll0] ))


* * * * * * *

When Lars announces Tuldurian, Rovard standas up and gives a great cheer. "Hurrah for our scholar! Good work, man!"

His look turns from exuberant to thoughtful and he holds up his hands as if to make an announcement of his own. "I think we all owe thanks to Lars for making these booklets. However, let me remind you that the instructional booklets are to remain inside the fort only. Anyone taking the booklets out into the frontier or even to Vilize's where the prisoners are, is guilty of stupidity of such a scale it can only be called treason. Please, be careful where you leave them."

Despite this sobering announcement he buys Lars a drink and toasts him.

He also lets Lars know: "If you're still researching the worms, it might be good to talk to our kobold and goblin prisoners. I'd be happy to intorduce you."

[thisisaspace]

((I didn't think we had a goblin prisoner.))

"From your report of the ongoing interrogation, I doubt the kobold would know much regarding the worms, but I am always prepared to be proven wrong. Feel free to ask the kobold about the worms the next time you see him. Let me know if he does hold knowledge we don't already have, and I'll pay a visit myself."

((Since Max has already said he'd allow you to make your alchemy checks, I'm guessing he's already made Lars' Nature check for him. if that's not the case, here (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2066543/)'s my check.))

[Another_Poet]

Rovard asks "his" kobold prisoner about the worms - if he has ever seen anything like that, who creates/controls them, etc.

Rovard will also, separately and out of earshot, ask the goblin the same questions about the minotaur and the goblins. I.e. why do the goblins work for the minotaur, where is the goblin city in the woods, what do the goblins know about the humans in the White Tower Woods (are they druids?) and is there a possibility of an alliance with the goblins?

Last, he asks the goblin about the worms.

ap

[Another_Poet]

((Above, I rolled a single alchemy check and successfully aided Lars with a natural 20, granting a +2 to his first check.

Since we now have been told there are 4 checks to make, here are my other 3 attempts at aiding him.))

[roll0] second check grants a +2

[roll1] third check grants a +2

[roll2]

I would urge one more person to make 4 alchemy checks, as 2 people can aid another and this is free acid we're talking about.

[SlyJohnny]

Jack

"That's the spirit, new meat!" laughs the burly mercenary who claims to have been on a grand total of two expeditions, as he slaps Danlo on the shoulder. "Milo was planning on leading an expedition out to check on the site we thought those parasitical worms. I would rather return to loot the temple we found, but... perhaps he is wise to keep a beady eye on on their progress." Jack says, with a small shudder. "You should come with us. Looks like I need another ale. Come on, let me buy you a drink. What'll you have?"

------
Later, Jack comes over to visit Villize. He is as warm and genuinely friendly to him as he is to everyone when he's not on an expedition, and over the course of a natural conversation he explains the following, mostly in answer to any conversational prompts or questions by Villize. "Good day, good merchant. I am sorry to tell you that the party took a vote and does not want to sell you the staff. It took much deliberation, I admit, but 3000 or so gold split six ways is not enough to retire on, or buy much specialised equipment. And while your offer of the weapons was especially tempting, the dwarf pointed out that we would have to delay our expeditions a long time for only two weapons, and if we kept adventuring we might be killed before they even got here."

After a while, he turns to leave. He does not attempt to overtly haggle, but merely hopes Vilize will up his offer in light of the parties refusal.
------

Over the course of the next day or two, Jack asks around and gets the names of the sappers that accompanied the patrol sent by the Primate. He strikes up a casual conversation with any of them he spies in the Last, enthusiastically praising their mission as an opening. He

"It was good of you men to venture into the field to safeguard this fort. It's my home for the moment, after all. I know you were under orders, but even so- blocking off that mine was shrewd and skillful work. I envy you. Truly, I wish I had such skills in sabotage."

After a bit more casual conversation on the topic (during which he makes sure they know as much about the enslaved miners, and the worms and how valuable they are, taken alive or as corpses, as he himself does), he sighs.

"I fear your efforts to be mostly in vain, however. When we returned there recently, more of those worm-posessed creatures were digging away. We cleared them, but more will return, no doubt. I can imagine the Primate's reluctance to post men there permanently: such an exposed outpost would be a tempting target. No doubt they will eventually dig through your blockade, and find what they are looking for, no matter how many we adventurers return to kill. They seem to be drawn there. They probably work those bodies until they fall apart... then just go and find another."

He drinks his beer, gloomily. Then he appears to get an idea. "Say... maybe men can't stay behind to watch the mine all the time, but that doesn't mean you have to just let the bastards undo your fine work, now, does it? What if..." he turns to face the man, "What if the area were trapped? Pits with punji stakes and the like, we could accomplish. And it would snare us the odd controlled goblin and worm, and the worm corpse would snare us the odd few hundred gold peices. But you men! You soldiers have vastly more men and experience to draw on then we do. Why, I imagine you could turn that mine entrance into a veritable deathtrap!" he says, pouring on the flattery as thick as he dares without sounding insincere.

"The beauty of it is, you wouldn't even have to go out there and face the danger! We're going to clear it, now. One or two of you could come with us when you're off duty, or we could bring you once the area was clear. You could trap the area, and whenever we went back to check up on it, we could retrieve the corpses, and sell the worms to that elven fellow. That'd be a tidy some of gold in your pocket, for only a few days work, eh? Even if you were to bring a few trusted people in. Never mind the fact you'd be safeguarding this fort and thwarting the beasts!" he says, with a grin.

Having baited the trap, he relies on matey enthusiasm and fratboyish "Go onnn! Do it!" type urging, to get the man or men he's talking with to consider the feasibility of his idea.

((GM, I have a +6 Diplomacy modifier if you'd like to roll for me.))

[Kyouhen]

Jerald

While working on milking the acid from the bugs, Jerald makes a suggestion on how to further use the corpses to Lars and Rovard.

"When we finish here, I suggest that we harvest as much blood from these creatures as we can, then find someone at the fort to make the carapaces into some form of plating we can wear on our backs over our armour and backpacks and whatever other equipment we have. I'm greatly interested in finding out where the bugs are coming from, as I'm sure their tunnel must have alternate exits, but crawling single-file is a poor position for combat. If we wore their shells and covered ourselves in their blood, we may be able to trick them into thinking we're one of them. We could safely travel the tunnels and not worry about it. And if we choose not to investigate the tunnel, at the very least it may discourage any further attacks from the creatures should we find them elsewhere in the temple."

[Morbius]

After a bit more casual conversation on the topic (during which he makes sure they know as much about the enslaved miners, and the worms and how valuable they are, taken alive or as corpses, as he himself does), he sighs.


((So, just to be sure, the newbie basically just told the primate(their soldiers will tell him) that there is still activity in the would be monster outpost, so now on the next morning the primate will likely send another team to just blow up the place for good right? Anyway...))

If Milo hear about the primate sending troops to the tower to explode it again he will ask for him to wait for a day so that their group may... clear the way for his soldiers so that they don't need to risk their lives. If that does not work he quickly rounds up the group and goes with the soldiers there, only after the soldiers are gone he will move with the group to the second entrance (that fortunatelly Jack didn't know about) and see if there is anything left.

[Another_Poet]

((Morbius: It depends on how his Diplomacy roll goes. If they believe that there is a chance at good money out there, they have a vested interested in protecting the site. It wouldn't be the first time a soldier neglected to tell his superior officer about a lucrative side-business.))

Rovard is intrigued by Jerald's idea.

"It would be hard to explain it to the halfling smith," he muses. "She'd charge us a groin and a teat for custom bug-plate armour, and probably have no interest at all in a simple costume job. Hmmm... It should be fairly easy to do ourselves. Do any of the explorers have any armour-making skill?"

((Anybody have ranks in a craft skill that's relevant to making bug disguises?))

Rovard will help gather all the blood into jars or bottles.

[Kyouhen]

Jerald

"Well my friend, it just so happens I once spent a month as a smith's apprentice. I could attempt to forge the disguise, though I am unsure of how effective my skills will be and am a little short of funds for extra materials thanks to the deal I made for keeping the staff. I would be more than happy to make the attempt at creating the disguises if there is nobody better trained at it though."

((By the gods I'm going to have to make Jack-of-all-Trades a standard feat for my characters :smallbiggrin:))

[Mangles]

Danki while wandering around stops by the stables. Seeing the mounts of his companions he exclains "I guess I must buy a stead for this adventure. No use getting to the battle already tired"

((I will subtract 8gp 1sp and 5cp for a donkey and 3 bags of feed))

[Another_Poet]

Rovard visits the fort priest and makes a donation, requesting one potion each of: Cure Light Wounds, Sanctuary, Shield of Faith +2. (Deducting 150 gp)

((Max, what is the CL and Save DC for spells/potions from the priest?))

Rovard also donates 15 gp to the joint fund and lets Jerald know that would be the best place to go for funding for the bug outfits, if he needs extra materials.

[Kyouhen]

Not finding any volunteers for the job Jerald sets about creating the costumes from the bug corpses and storing their blood, tapping into the joint fund for any extra materials he may need to make them.

((The costumes are going to be the shells of the bugs, preferably designed in a way that they strap onto the wearer's back over any armour or backpacks.

Craft (whatever) to make the armour x4: [roll0] [roll1] [roll2] [roll3]

It's +7 instead of +3 if Max decides those are Craft (alchemy), though I doubt they are.

Do I need to roll for harvesting the bug blood?))

[Morbius]

About the new expedition to the Forest, Milo thinks a little and talk to the others that shall join him

“Look I heard that Kobolds are good miners, heck, they were being used on those mines for a reason, so why don’t we do use them as well for the mining and if they help us and behave we let them go after we find whatever is down there? I mean I don’t think we can gain anything else from keeping them here. And if everything works out we may yet find in the kobolds if not allies in the frontier, at least someone who would be willing to provide information and perhaps some trade…”

Milo wait for the others to speak against that, if no one speaks up he ask one of the casters to go with him and translate his offer to the prisoners, they help dig for a couple days at most and they get their freddom.

[Another_Poet]

((I assume no one objects since no one did so in the OoC thread))

Rovard seems to like the idea. He will go talk to the kobold he has been "befriending."

"You've been very cooperative, and I said I would let you free. I want to keep my word. I've talked to the others and they are willing to release you, if you help us in one more task. I don't think you're going to like it, but please let me explain."

He pauses and makes sure the kobold is listening.

"They've gotten it into their heads that they need to dig up whatever the minotaur was after. You're obviously an experienced miner. So when we head up to the woods where we captured you, we're going into the mines and doing some tunneling. We would like you, and one other kobold prisoner to help us.

"This will be nothing like working under the minotaur. We will feed you the same quality food we eat ourselves, give you adequate rest and water, and be finished in a few days at the most. Then we will give you provisions and let you free, either right there or at a nearby location of your choosing. We do not want any further bloodshed with your people."

If the friendly kobold seems cooperative, Rovard will ask him to explain the plan to the second kobold (it may be the first time they've seen each other since Rovard has been keeping them separate). He will have the Draconic translator (Lars?) present to make sure everything is relayed accurately with no scheming.

[Arkaim]

Those fools! A wound upon the face of the mortal plane has appeared and what do they do? They go loot the temple of Obad-Hai! Saying that their priorities were misplaced would be a gross understatement. Now that they are all back, I'm going redirect their attentions back to more portent matters. Perhaps with shiny things of need be.

Maybe I'm being to harsh. I will concede that their actions aren't completely without merit. I doubt that mine shaft we completely looted before has mysteriously restored its stockpile of treasure. Unless, of course, the cause of the corruption is some sort of magic item. Though it pains me, if this campaign doesn't field much gold, then I may be forced to join them on their next scheduled temple looting. I didn't become a diviner in order to search for treasure. Why do things never stay simple?

This whole expedition was supposed to be simple. At first, it was supposed to be a simple excursion mission into goblin territory. After a brief skirmish, we agree to free enslaved kobolds. In exchange, they show us a secret passage into the goblins' outpost. After we decipher the goblin's documents, we learned that they are looking for something important. Then things start getting strange.

My companions and I return to the goblin outpost in order to obtain whatever it is that the goblins hoped to acquire. Only to find that some goblins have beaten us to the outpost. Except, these goblins could no longer be considered living. Depraved aberrations that dwelled within the goblins and dominated their bodies. Then that wound upon the land appeared. It is final. We are no longer involved in some pity struggle. I can feel it. This foreboding feeling pervades in the air. So many questions.

What are the goblins looking for? What do the minotaurs hope to gain? Are there any other mining sites? Who commands those aberrations? Why, after we routed the goblins, did that blight appear? How else are the kobolds involved? Where do the gnolls fit into all this? What else don't we know?

All these questions. All these miserable questions. But, that is why I became a diviner. To command the secrets to surrender their knowledge and smite what evil they may hide.
Palo puts aside his journal and opens up Lar's booklet.

((Palo loses one point in Knowledge (religion) and assigns it to Speak Language (Tuldurian).

[Mangles]

Danlo walks around from person to person, shoving Lar's booklet at them and asking them to teach him. He continues his search until stumbling on a board looking gaurd who agrees to teach him the language in exchange for a small token. Danlo agrees to this and with the gaurds help soon knows how to speak Tuldurian.

((I will drop 1 skillpoint from Intimidate to learn Tuldurian and give 1sp to the gaurd if this is ok?))

[Another_Poet]

Nice touch, Mangles.

[Maxymiuk]

((I should really do these replies in a more timely manner. Also, there's the heavy assumption on my part that Rovard has an interpreter along with him when talking to the captives, since he knows neither Draconic, nor Goblin))

The Goblin

The goblin is rather belligerent towards Rovard, and outright refuses to answer any questions, even if poked with a sharp stick.


The Kobold

"I was brought along by goblins as a scout, not as a miner."


***

Regarding worms:

Lars doesn't recall anything in particular of where the worms are from or what (if anything) drives them, and neither is there anyone in the fort who would. The reason for this seems to be that, as he finds through one of the fort library's history tomes, the worms, or at least something similar to them appeared in the late stage of the war. By then, the Empire was nearing its last legs, and the Church of Heironeous was quickly gaining power. So it was the clergy that made the decision to - instead of wasting men and resources on capturing and studying the creatures - adopt the doctrine of "kill them all". Consequently, there are no studies more detailed than "fire burns them just fine".

Vilize, however, is all too happy to inform Lars about his preliminary findings.
"As you have no doubt found out yourself, the creature, which I have preliminarily dubbed the 'Slave Worm', possesses highly resistant skin, imprevious to all but the strongest blows from a weapon. However acid, fire and other elemental forms of harm work just fine against it."

"The exact mechanism of how the worm gains control of the host remains an unknown until I can study a live specimen. I suspect that once inside the host, the creature excretes a substance through its skin that is intended to aid the process and initiate the physiological changes that you've described. However, there is no doubt that the control itself is largely magical in nature."

"The most disturbing discovery I've made, however," he frowns deeply, "Is that the worm's physiology is inconsistent with anything that I've ever encountered in the Frontier. And no, this can't be written off as the effect of the river - creatures changed by it retain at least a passing resemblance to their original species. This creature - I will stake my reputation that it does not belong to our world."

***

((what else am I missing... oh yes))

Predictably enough, the Primate gets wind of Jack's conversations with the soldiers and, equally predictable enough, sends out another three squads, this time including the fort's best wizard, to reseal the entrance. Due to Vilize's findings, the soldiers are forewarned of what may await them, so the battle they tell of later involves a number of fireballs. Even so, the force they faced was far larger than the one the adventurers faced - apparently this time there were dedicated guards to watch over the diggers - so, many of the soldiers were wounded and the casters expended most their spells.

However, the engineers had no time to seal off the entrance. The scouting detail reported a large goblin warparty led by a minotaur on its way towards the woods. The commanding officer, seeing the state of his men, declared a retreat.

The Primate is organizing another excursion, but that will take a day or two more, until he can pull in enough soldiers from the outlying outposts. He's not going to stop anyone from venturing there on their own, but he suggests they make sure their will is up to date before they do.

[Another_Poet]

((Yes, I had stated that I would take a translator as necessary.))

Rovard frowns at the kobold. "I know. But they're offering your freedom if you can put in a couple days of digging. And your people live underground, right? You're better qualified than myself and I'll be right there digging away as well."

[Talvara]

on the evening before the expedition to the tower where Halone was lost and the worms slither. Thorik goes to see lars. The dwarf knocks softly on lars's door (well... softly for a dwarf that is). and wait till it opens, Then with a sort of determination in his eyes clears his throath and starts to speak.

"so, uhm. im sure you've 'eard that the lads are headin out again t'night goin back to tha worm tower, After talkin with some o tha guards around 'ere I understood that goblins and tha bullman be back, so the lads might be in fer quite a fight. so... I'll be going with em an try to bring em all back alive... but seein tha task ahead I can't say we'll all come back, includin me so..." thorik hands lars a small key "could ya hang onto tha fer the time bein? I hope I can reclaim it soon, but incase I don't in the comming week, please clear out me room, thar should be a chest where I keep me reserves. please make sure it goes to aidin the adventures tha remain aye?" The dwarf nods in a compasionate manner and waits around to chat some more with his fellow clergyman, before giving a blessing and heading off to prepare for the journey ahead.

[Another_Poet]

Rovard

Rovard knows that Vilize probably resents him, so he won't just walk in and try to sell the stinger and thorax to the half-elf. Instead, he goes to the man's shop to visit his kobold as usual and "just happens" to have the stinger and bug section over his shoulder.

He asks the kobold if he's seen anything like it and recounts its amazing properties quite loudly, making sure the half-elf overhears him.

"Oh, this?" Rovard waggles the stinger when Vilize asks about it. "Yeah, we cut it off a giant bug, bigger than my mule even. I think we can salvage it magical fluids... what, you wouldn't have any interest in it, would you?"

((Max, can we get any money for the thing?))

[Morbius]

Milo drinks his ale sourly on one of the corners of the last stop after returning from the expedition, he still think they might find something valuable in the mines, and he still think that if they had sold that quarterstaff he and his friends would have a nice stock of healing scrolls and potions, not to mention better weapons and armor to completely explore that place, instead they were forced to run back to the fort because of the monstrosities scared his friends and they were out of potions. His money is so low that he and some others are going to the temple to look for more treasure probably without a single cleric, however Milo believes that finally he may put to use some of they training he received during a summer on the militia’s hospital from his town and perhaps cast some simple spells with the help of wands. Later that day Milo looks for Lars an asks him to borrow his wand, Lars agrees and says that while he is very busy he do will try to go with the group on this expedition, however he is not sure if he will make it. Happy hat the group hill now have healing one way or another(preferably by walking along with one of the most powerful clerics of the fort. Realizing that it will be hard to use a wand along with a bow and without money to buy flasks of acid he decides to remember his childhood’s throwing contests and buy a few javelins…

[Another_Poet]

Rovard gives Milo five flasks of acid (yep, 5) and tells him to quit whining about the staff, the sale of which would've been truly stupid.

But he says it in, you know, a friendly way... yeah.

[Morbius]

Milo respectfully declines the offer from Rovard

((so don't write them of your sheet yet))

[Maxymiuk]

((Here's the conversation with the dwarf I didn't have time to handle while engineering witnessing Jack's death))

What is your name?

"If ye cannot live without havin' somethin' t' call me by, then call me Harel."

How long has your family been guarding the tomb?

"When did I say it was me family doin' it? I leave 'em out o' it and ye better do the same, lad."

((yes, he did say he inherited the position, I'm aware of that))

How do you know when something is removed?

"Comes with th' job, nae? Couldn't be doin' it otherwise, could I?"

Will the spirits attack us during the day, or will they only pursue us at night?

"Whenever they bleedin' well please. It'll get where ye'll be scared o' goin' to th' crapper alone. I'm tellin' ye lad, jes' put the things back. It's fer ye own good."

Are the spirits that will hunt us the same as the wolves we encountered in the tomb, or are they something different?

"Couldn' tell ye, lad. Never got to see them work with me own eyes, y'see."

Are there any other places in the frontier that's safe from the spirits?

"Oh, I reckon there'd be a couple... but even if ye got there, then the flesh'n'blood critters what reside there would just rip ye apart."

Is there any other way to make peace with the spirits in a way that would allow us to keep the items?

"Ha!"

[Kyouhen]

With Rovard's suggestion to forget about the bug disguises, Jerald sets about simply preserving the shells for later use instead. Even if they had no reason to make disguises he was reluctant to just give up the shells when he could find a use for them later.

Curious as to how the curse will manifest itself, and interested in finding a way to bypass it, Jerald plans on taking the staff to the fort's walls at night and waiting to see if anything shows itself in the wilderness. He intends to continue to do this every night until he has seen something that will tip him off as to how to recognize the curse before it can strike him or his comrades.

[Mangles]

Danlo claims his 30gp from Rovard
"It's not a lot but its better than paying with me life."
The grim news about Jack has left Danlo thinking that life in the North will be a lot harder than it seemed.