DrK Crimson Throne IC

[Haval]

Andrei will pause to amplify his voice as loud as possible before telling the bandits to 'Run.'

Spoiler: ooc

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Casting Sounds (4+ or 3+)
Channeling test vs. WP 51 (+10 Aetheric Attunement) (+10 Derro Necklace)
(1d100)[7]
(1d10)[6]

[rax]

Trusting his companions to keep an eye on the remaining bandits, Cassian immediately goes to speak to the kidnapped woman and her daughter.

"Miss, please, have no fear. Are you alright? We came across your wagon on the road and followed the tracks here. We're here to rescue you," he says in as calming a tone as he can, even though his blood still boils at seeing how the bandits were mistreating their prisoners.

[DrK]

One of the three men lets out a guttural cry as an arrow thuds heavily into his shoulder, a deep wound for the bandit. As Andrei's magically amplified voice booms over the small ravine the three men look at the camp where their leader and another both lie dead and they see that they are outnumbered before they turn and slide down the far side of the rim slipping out of sight, the sound of scurrying feet on rocks and gravel as they seem to be feeling.

The woman is on the ground sobbing but looks up, "Shelyn take me. Thank you. Thank you so much." she scrambles towards the tent where her children are, "They are alive. thanks the Gods. Pulling herself to a seating position she looks at Cassian and Winifred warily. What do you mean to do?" she asks, looking warily at the pair of blood stained would be rescuers. "What would you do with us now?" she asks...

[rax]

"Well, we are escorting a young woman to friends in Harse, and you are welcome to come along if you wish to travel under our protection," Cassian answered. "Are you perhaps from there? My name is Cassian, by the way. Of House Escalante in Korvosa," he introduces himself.

[wilphe]

Winifred looks at where she thinks Ciraneoth is

You want to keep an eye on those fools?

Perhaps discourage them from stealing our transport?

Turns her attention to the bandits, who seem to have stopped thrashing, which is good because that was annoying and distracting

Then looks at the woman and bows slightly

For now you may call me Winifred. Who are you and what happened?

Our intentions?

As my noble companion says, with a bit of stripping these idiots and salvaging what we can

Spoiler: OOC

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(1d100)[44] Search 41

Search the bodies, see if the tents are worth taking, and the various barrels and packs

[Haval]

'Should we read anything interesting in the fact that they were Chelaxians? I suppose they are just as capable of being bandits as anyone else.' Andrei will help Winifred search the bodies.

[rax]

"Pfft! Treachery and banditry are second nature to Chelaxians," Cassian spits. "The only surprise is to find them here, in Korvosan territory."

[farothel]

Ciraneoth nodded and moved after the three bandits, staying at a distance but keeping them in sight (or hearing), ready to shoot if they would turn or do something to their transport.

[DrK]

As Cieranoth jogs past to the far rim he can watch the bandits still running, heading east through the thin paths and rocks (your wagon lies to the south). They seem to be moving quickly. He can also see that they don't seem to be planning on coming back.

In the crater the woman nods sadly. "We were travelling to Harse and then on into Varisia, we were seeking a new life after the changes in Korvosa. I don't know what I'll do now... but if we could join you going to Harse the Gods would surely smile on that kindness." She cradles up her daughter as the two of them still seem partially shocked.

Winifred looks around the campsite finding tents and clothes (~3 sets each) and assorted packs of cards and dice for the 5 men, alongside a stout looking chest that has 6 set of fine courtiers robes, 3 sets of white silk shirts, long black trousers with silver piping and black woolen coats with silver dragons, griffins and eagles on the cuffs and 3 long elegant ball gowns with pearl inlay in yellow, lilac and rose coloured silks although they are thin and of a figure hugging Andoran design. THere is a also a chest that has some 144gc of loose coinage and looted jewelry. Amongst the trail rations, barrels (3) of ale and bottles (6) of fine chelaxian wine there is enough grains, potatoes and bags of maize to last a group of 5-6 for ~2 weeks and near the fire a partly roasted fowl of some kind was turning on the spit. In terms of weapons and armour, the two dead have thick leather scale vests, a bow and crossbow with a handful of arrows and bolts (2d10) and a crude looking axe and arming sword.

You are free to eat there and rest before heading back to your wagons should you wish.

[wilphe]

Winifred looks the stuff over

How much of this is what they took from you?

I have no desire to keep what they stole from you, then I am no better than they

and turns her attention to logistics

I would rather get the stuff to the waon and then eat, I don't like being apart from it and the horses

[farothel]

Ciraneoth comes back and reports that the bandits are still running. He wasn't about to go after them on his own and the rest wouldn't be able to catch up.

"Good idea," he said, "we bring all this to the wagon and eat there before moving on.
We'll have to set a good watch tonight if we're not in an inn, just in case, although I don't think they'll be back. It looked as if they will keep running until they reach the sea."

[DrK]

The woman identifies some of the stored tools as her husbands and some of the (not noble) clothes as theirs and you can easily let her have them. The rest of the day is spent doing a couple of slow trips to and from the wagons with tents being used as impromptu sledges and sacks.

Soon you have everything back at your and her wagon and the vehicles packed. A short while later as you stand by the grave of her husband, the woman kneeling and offer a heartfelt prayer that Jacob (her now dead partner) prospers in the boneyard she looks at you all. “what do we do now…” she starts looking at her daughter now sleeping in a shady part of the wagon bed. “My husband was a carpenter, he was to support us. How can I even start to rebuild alone in a new place?” she sits in a heap sobbing softly as the rest of you can pitch tents, lighting the camp fire and setting a watch, although the road seems deserted and the plains devoid of anything larger than the occasional hare or noisy grouse.

[wilphe]

Winifred casts a critical eye over three matching mens' outfits, because this looks like livery and there are not so many wealthy enough to be able to dress their retainers so

When the woman takes the child away to attend to a call of nature she softly remarks That's a lot of cloth and rich clothing for the family of a carpenter to be carrying

Spoiler: OOC

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(1d100)[57] AK: Heraldry and Genealogy to identify the outfits

[farothel]

"Or the bandits stored everything together and have been gathering stuff for some time," Ciraneoth said.
He has taken the arrows to replenish those he has used as he didn't really feel like hunting for his missed arrows.
"Or they planned to use the outfits to infiltrate into a noble household somehow."

[wilphe]

Maybe

But when we came upon the ambush for the first time there was cloth they didn't take all over the road

[Haval]

'If they are a wealthier family then they claim you'd think they might be able to afford their own guards.'

[rax]

Earlier
"Do not fret, good lady. I am sure an opportunity will present itself. Certainly it will be easier to consider the future once you are safe in Harse and among neighbourly people," Cassian tries to comforet the woman.

Later
"Indeed. The obvious inference is that the bandits have robbed other travellers as well," Cassian agrees with Ciraneoth. "As for the cloth, perhaps they simply had no inkling of its value, or they seized only what took their fancy - fine clothes and drink."

[DrK]

The woman looks at much of the items, and the rich cloths and shakes her head explaining that that wasn't hers or her families. Her husband and her had packed the cart with his tools and as much foods and other cheap goods as they could and set off towards Varisian. Much of the food for their own use on the long journey as they suspected that they wouldn't be able buy stuff on the road.

Its a long day and half as over the next day and half now with two wagons in your caravan you complete the trip to Harse. The village nestled beside a fork in the Sarwin and Falcon rivers and the ferries that dominate the town. As you see the few sprawling buildings most of the town as it were is spread out over the ranches and fields that have spread around and been your companions by the side of the road for the past several miles. The frontier here must be rough as you've seen most of the farmers here carry stout weapons at their waist or a short bow in hand as they tend their flocks and watch you warily as your roll down the roads.

Heading into town you can see the market square by the river ferries where the two inns, the "Nag Bag" and the "Spotted Pony" both stand. Stout wooden buildings with thatched roofs and 3 tall storeys surrounded by a large stable yard. The slightly smaller one with a picture of a horse's head wedged in a feed bag is the one where you were supposed to meet your contact,

[wilphe]

Winifred checks about for any signs of Korvasan authority, or any bounty notice on Tiadora. They were not overtaken on the road, and Korvasa doesn't currently have the spare resources to send out to the hinterland.

But on the other hand Tiadora is someone her Majesty very much wants dead, especially after her embarrassing escape, so she keeps her eyes and ears open and wits sharp.

Having established matters to her satisfaction she has one of the local children who have been loudly espousing the competing merits of the two inns tie up the horses whilst they go inside to meet Vencarlo's contact.

I don't want them unharnessed and stabled just yet, we might want to get out of here in a hurry

she says to the others softly

[rax]

"Madam, we have some private business to attend to, but hopefully it won't take too long. Would you and your daughter mind waiting outside for us?" Cassian asks the woman they had rescued.

"Caution is certainly warranted, but I do not see us making much of a quick getaway in a wagon," he answers Winifred with a smile.

[Haval]

'I'd say it would be fairly bad luck to run into anyone whose looking for us out here. But it's not impossible either.'

[farothel]

"There's little we can do about if we do," Ciraneoth said as he looked around, "you guys go in, I'll stay here as rear guard, ok."

[Haval]

'The clothes are a little expensive for my tastes but they might be handy to have around at some point. Besides, I'm not sure who you could sell them to around here.'

[DrK]

Arriving in Harse the party scatter slightly before heading into the Spotted Pony. The inn room is thick with pipe smoke and the sound of pipe music where a trio of farmers play a rang of pipes and flutes on the low stage. The room is filled with a gaggle of merchants, caravan guards and other travellers mixed with local farmers and shepherds. As you enter you are approached by a fat barrel shaped man with a grease covered apron and a long vest of thick brown hair at odds with shiny bald pate on his head. He looks over you all carefully and offers a nod. "Afternoon neighbours. Welcome to the Pony. I am Jasnan Garr. I believe we have a mutal friend in the City, one who likes to wear black and is called Jack..."" he grins and nods with an exaggerated wink and glances behind you all to where Trinia stands looking nervous.

Trinia offers a nervous grin and steps forward "Hello. I am Trinia, I was sent here." The fat man nods, "Well my friends you are welcome to stay here I can a have couple o' rooms above the hay loft set aside for ye and some stabling fer the horse and wagons." He looks at Trinia, "And you my dear... Eat with yer city friends and I'll be back with Mary-Lou, she has a nice farm in the back country where ye can hide fer a while." He gestures you all to a table, mutters, "I'll see you in a couple o' hours" and vansihes into the kitchen.

In the next couple of hours a hearty goat stew with fresh bread is provided and you are able to do some brisk trading in the market square that stands outside the inn, in fact, stands between the to stable yards of the inns that make up the centre of the town. There you can off load most of what you took from bandits including the fine clothes and leather vests (regular leather not full leather scale). The clothes you are fortunate with, a pair of merchant carrying silos, clothes and fine woolens from Magnimar heading west towards Andoren who are happy tp pay gold for the cloths as they take the dresses and fin courtiers robes off your hands. Happy that they can find a home for the in the foppish courts of Andor and then Taldor.

A few hours later Jasnan returns, this time with a matronly woman in her early fifty years wearing a well made if worn plain dress with her hair in a toght bun. With wind blasted skin nd calloused hands she looks like a hard working farm wife but smiles happily as she introduces herself as Mary-Lou. A long time friend of "(black)Jack" from the city. She has rooms available, a grown up daughter long since moved out who left a room and clothes at the farm and an opportunity for Trinia to paint and relax and help out on the farm. Trinia for her part smiles and looks relieved, some of the fear that had been present fading slightly as she sees that she may be safe from the current strife and is grateful."Thank you so much for helping me." she says, grasping each of you by the hand apart from Winifred who gets a long hug, "You save my life, you and Blackjack and Master Vencarlo. I cannot thank you enough." Mary Lou and Jasnan both nod and agree, Jasnan reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small wrapped parel. Its drops onto the table with a dull metallic clank and unwrapping it appears to be a heavy looking iron ring with a symbol of a flying duck on it. As you look at it, Andrie can see the faint strands of Azyr floating around....

Spoiler: Successful Magical Sense +20% test

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This plain iron ring is infused with Azyr the celestial magic of the sky and bears an image of a duck in flight.
Effect It makes you lighter. You get a +10% bonus on checks related to running, jumping, climbing or acrobatics. If you do fall you treat the fall as 3 yards shorter

[wilphe]

Winifred greets Jasnan,

We have also rescued a widow and her child from bandits, perhaps you might know of someone who can offer her employment or otherwise assist?

In the market she will trade in the gear, but will keep the Bow and dispose of Giggles' short bow

[Haval]

Andrei will grin at Jasnan, 'Jack does get around doesn't he.'

He will stare at the ring for a moment before commenting, 'I always wonder how people lose these things. Thankyou, I'm sure that will come in handy.'

[rax]

"It was an honour to be of service," Cassian answers Tiadora.


OOC: I doubt Harse is the place to shop for any metal armour, so besides resolving the situation with the widow, I've got nothing more Cassian needs to do here.

[DrK]

As you mention the widow and her daughter Jasnan and Mary Lou have a quiet conversation near the bar before they come back, looking at the tired looking woman. Mary Lou is the first to speak, "I'm so sorrt to hear of what happened on the road ny dear. Look, my farm ain't much, but my Albert is 6 years dead now and sometimes the work is a lot for me and the local help. It need not be permanant but come and stay on the farm. If you can help on the farm that'll earn you keep and you can help Tiadora settle in eh?"

The woman looks at Cassian and the others and then at Mary Lou and bursts into tears, thankful to the gods for the generosity and promises to do the best she can do. Jasnan watches Mary Lou, the widow and her daughter and Tiadora heading off and looks back at the rest of you shaking his head. "Mary Lou is a kind lady bless her soul. Lost her husband to plauge and 2 sons to bandits but she still keeps the farm going."

he bids you all a good day and lets you enjoy meals and a drink as you ready to set off back to Korvosa in the morning. Its a long few days as you rumble back down the road that you've just come up, passing the site of where you headed up the road and the improptu graves and and where the wargs attacked you. A few days of hard travel later you can see the small Inn in "Trotts" again, although this time you can see in the distance from the smudge on the horizon that is Korvosa a great plume of dark smoke. The wagon yard of the wayside inn is filled to bursting with dozens of farm wagons, merchant trains and several groups of city watch, although troublingly you can see each one is led by a proud looking female figure in womanly shaped full plate with a red cloak and a full face helm, Gray Maidens!

As you pull your wagon to a halt a merchant's guard sat leant against a wheel of a large merchant caravan carrying large crates marked with "Magnimarii Trading House" looks up at you with a wry grin and salutes with his tankard of ale. "Heading to the city? Have a care, the yellow quarantine flags are out and they are burning the poor by the dozen in the Gray. Some disease broke out in Old Korvosa and been spreading for the past week, ripping through the city... My master holding here till he see's if the ole' Church of Abador or Queen Illeosia can get it under control." Motioning to the packed yard he shrugs, "Get used to sleeping under the wagon friends, there be no room at this Inn."

[DrK]

IC THREAD PART 2