The Domain of Greyhawk River Road, heading southwest along the Selintan
Freeday, Readying 14th, 591 CY
nearly midnight, mostly cloudy skies
The wagon is rolling along at a more reasonable pace. Lover helps Ashe dump the dead man over the side of the rail. The skies are clearing overhead, and the fresh air feels good in the lungs after so much time in the close quarters of the city (or, in Lover's case, dirt).
The driver lets his question hang in the air for a time, then says, "we should stop for the night somewhere. I know a good spot. Name's Reulon by the way... some call me The Gray Wolf."
He guides the horses along the river for a while until he reaches the branch at Zagig's Bridge. A huge span of stone -- and presumably, old magic -- the bridge arches over the Selintan before giving way to a highway stretching west. It is wide enough to allow four carriages to ride abreast and there are stone structures built along its length. Some of these are battlemented guard towers with lights lit across their walls.
Reulon stops the wagon and asks the passengers in back to keep an eye on the unconscious woman sprawled over the bench. He hops off and begins to lead the horses off the road and down the slope towards the river's edge. It is slow going and bumpy, but the animals seem to have made this journey before. The banks of the river are wooded and rocky, but the horses are led safely down to where the trickle of the water can be heard.
Soon, the driver leads the wagon sharply south and right along the muddy shore. The wagon passes right underneath the bridge, huge pilings rising up overhead like colossal legs of some stone giant. It is dark and quiet here. Reulon begins to unhitch the horses and lets them drink by the river's edge.
"It'll be cold tonight, and we can't risk lighting a fire. You'd better bundle her up as best you can... check that bump on her head." He turns away and begins to clean his dagger.
OOC: Welcome to the new thread, players. Imagen is still unconscious, but she needs just 1 hour of rest per point of non-lethal damage. She should be up and around by morning. Make sure you take your experience rewards I gave you at the end of the last thread.
The party has some decisions to make, but at least you can make them without people trying to stab your neck.
"Hmph!" the man grunts. "Not the talkative sorts, huh? No matter to me. But if ye got The Guild interested in you lot -- for whatever reason -- you got a long way to go before you're out of their territory. I already lost some good business by sticking my neck out, but I was thinking about moving on anyways... city's getting a bit too hot lately."
ReplyDeleteHe scratches one of the horses on its neck after sliding his dagger back into its sheath. Suddenly, there is a commotion up on River Road -- horses, shouting, and torchlight. Reulon spins his head about and curses. "Hurry! If that's your friends and they check down here, we're nicked!" He drags the horses by their harnesses over to where the bridge meets with the slope leading up to the road.
One hand feels along the weathered stone carvings etched into the stone while the other keeps hold of the animals. The noises up one the road are growing rapidly louder. From the thunder of hooves, there are many mounted men approaching quickly. A moment later, the dull scraping of stone against stone echoes underneath the bridge. A section of the stonework shifts aside revealing a ever-widening black aperture.
"Move it now!" he shouts as loudly as he dares, "push that wagon in here!" He pulls the horses into the opening. It is pitch black inside. "Hurry or we're all dead!"
OOC: If you choose to do as he asks, Lover and Ashe need to try muscling the wagon over the muddy bank and through the inky gateway. Give me a couple Strength checks. The opening is only barely wide enough to fit the wagon.
Strength Check: 4 + 4 = 8
ReplyDeleteStrength check: 8 + 3 = 11
ReplyDeleteLover and Ashe find that their feet dig into the mud without gaining much purchase. They can hear the horses up on the road approaching rapidly and can even see the orange flicker of torchlight reflecting on the slope leading down to the river. Reulon hisses from the yawning black opening, "hurry, young fools! We haven't a moment to lose!" He has the horses by the reins, but they seem very nervous about entering the dark chamber inside the bridge. He seems reluctant to let them go to come help.
ReplyDeleteAshe is able to get a bit more leverage as she is lower to the ground. The wheels creak as the wagon slowly lurches up the embankment. Her muscles ache furiously. She can hear the driver shout to the animals, "don't move ye mangey beasts!"
Up above on the road, Lover and Ashe can hear the thundering of hooves suddenly begin to sharply clip-clop as the riders pass onto the cobblestones of the bridge. The horsemen shout back and forth amongst each other. They seem to have paused at the junction of the roadway and the bridge.
Reulon releases the reins and begins to tug on the wagon from the other end. With a loud grunt, the vehicle begins to move. As the wagon is nearly hidden within the secret chamber, the horses squeal loudly and bolt back towards the river. They nearly trample Ashe in their haste to leave the area under the bridge. Reulon curses, but once the wagon is inside, he leaps to the side wall and a muffled click is heard. A moment later, stone is heard shifting against stone, and the massive portal slides shut once again.
The adventurers are now plunged into pitch darkness.
The driver's girzzled voice is heard scratching through the blackness. "Those dumb animals might give us away... pray to whatever gods you know that the guildsmen aren't aware of this place."
Several long minutes pass. Infrequent noises can be heard, but they are either dulled by thick stone walls or made softer by distance. It is difficult to tell. After a while, Reulon says that perhaps luck is with you this time. He begins to feel about in an attempt to get a fire started. Eventually, a small, guttering blaze is built in the center of a large open space.
The walls are carved with ancient images and the floor is made of wet flagstones worn smooth with age. Opposite the doorway -- which is now invisible -- is a broad set of stone steps leading downward into the earth. Distant dripping and squeaking can be heard from below.
"We might as well rest here for the night," the man says as he crouches next to the fire. "Tend to your friend and try to get some sleep. In the morning we can see if the coast is clear, and then be on our way. Speaking of which... you never told me where you're off to. It would be best if we all got as far from the city as possible."
OOC: In the interest of getting us back into a good, productive, consistent rhythym, I've moved things along a bit. The party can rest for 8 hours (with Imagen gaining 1 non-lethal back per hour), and everybody gains 1 hit point per level. A successful Heal check can double this rate.
Please let me know what you'd like to say or do while hidden under the bridge, and then we can move on in the morning. The group needs to also decide what their next move will be.
As the wagon comes to rest, Imagon sleepily says "Just frag the dandy trog. Null persp, chummers. Just biz."
ReplyDeleteWhatever dream she's having, it seems to be a good dream.
An hour or so later her eyes flutter open, and her hands groggily walk over her body. Her shoulders slump. "Drek," she sighs. "Fraggin' kits slotted at the flop." She works some moisture into her mouth says, slightly louder, and to no one in general, "My tongue has the pleasant bouquet of an Otyugh's armpit with the playful aftertaste of a slurry of flumph. Does anyone have anything to drink?"
OOC: Why, yes. I did get the Dragonfall expansion for Shadowrun Returns. Why do you ask?
Imagen shifts a bit to scratch her back, and her fingers brush against a flask of cold metal, prompting a shadow of remembrance and resignation to cross her face. She unholsters the flask from its hiding place and takes the smallest of sips, briefly swishing around the 120-proof rum to fill her mouth with warmth and pain. This is followed by a slightly larger swallow, the dark liquid crawling down her throat to set up an aid station in her stomach like a glowing coal in a drafty house.
ReplyDeleteWincing, she doffs the leather cuirass and both vambraces, lifting her shirt and grimacing at the canvas of black and purple radiating out from her ribs. Deftly cutting one sleeve from her chemise, she slices two long slits in it, and wraps this tightly around her torso, giving support to what seem to be cracked-but-not-quite-broken ribs.
The painful brace now secured, she takes another swallow of rum and re-dons the armor. She skulks her way next to the relaxing bulks of the fighters and offers the flask, saying, "It looks like I missed quite a fight. Sorry about that. How'd it go?"
OOC: Heal check: 19 + 0.
A gray-stubbled, leathery faced man is seated near a weakly burning bonfire in the middle of a large stone chamber. Most of the floor is dirt, but that gives way to well-fitted flagstones near a broad set of steps leading down into darkness. Imagen's two friends silently rest around the fire, appearing to be exhausted and deep in thought.
ReplyDeleteThe old man introduces himself to the Touv woman and then says (without looking up -- Imagen is not used to men not looking at her), "yer friends have been through quite a bit. It's nearly daylight, I estimate -- impossible to know for sure in here, o' course. Do you have any idea where you're headed? These two aren't the conversational types, but you need to make a decision... the Rhenee will be coming down the river shortly. With my horses gone, they're the best transportation we've got."
OOC: Imagen... you get 2 hit points back, and all your non-lethal damage is gone. Welcome back! Now if we can just rouse the other members of the party...
Indeed, to be near a not-undead male and not openly gawked at is mildly disconcerting. Well, he might be sly. There's nothing for it in that case, but he seems helpful enough. Sly men usually are and they ask for less in return. Also, she thinks, a bit self-consciously, that she probably doesn't look her best after the mad flight and full face-plant into the dirt, and a quick dip in the aforementioned river might not be unwelcome.
ReplyDelete"What is the Rhenee?" Imagen asks, handing over the flask. "I assume you mean it as some kind of ship, but what kind exactly may play a factor."
As she speaks, she gets up and works out some kinks in her joins, her back cracking and shoulders popping happily as they return to normalcy. She takes up a fiery brand and makes a few hesitant steps toward the flagstones, squinting into the flickering darkness.
She calls behind her, "Know you ought of this place or where these steps lead?" Imagen is normally at home in the bright lights of a big city, setting up runs on marks or targets, but something about the yawning darkness seems...intriguing. And having left the city all but naked of equipment or funds, perhaps an old-fashioned tomb-raid would be just what is called for.
After a deep, and much needed rest, Lover instantly springs awake. He is filled with a sudden ferocity like none he’s ever felt before, “All right, I want answers, and I want them right now. Who the hell were those guys!? Seriously! In all my travels, I’ve met some bullies, but nothing like that! Who are you?” he shouts to everyone and no one in particular, “and why are those evil bastards trying to kill you? And why didn’t anyone warn me!? I was having a grand ol’ time adventuring on my own, and now you’ve gone and got me mixed up in something I want no part of.”
ReplyDeleteHe paces angrily for a few moments, before turning to the wagon driver, “You sir,” he says pointing a finger at Reulon, “You are too kind. I appreciate your help back there. You saved my life. You are a gentleman and a scholar, and as a fellow gentleman, though I am no scholar, heed my warning -- stay away from these two. They’re trouble! I’m out of here!!”
Lover stomps forward towards the steps, and hesitates for a moment, “Say, is this the only way outta here?” he asks politely.
OOC Heal Check: 14+?=??
"Nay, nay, brave warrior, tarry but a moment and all will be brought to light," Imagen says as she lithely springs to Lover's side, dropping her makeshift torch and taking up his hands in her own warm and earnest grasp. She looks into his eyes with the Open Gaze, her face tilted up with the Bright Smile of Warming. "Mine is a tale of woe and suffering, and surely you would not turn your back on a chance to right a great wrong? Forsooth, I was stolen away from my family at a young age and forced into servitude by the horrid, horrid creatures that you call the yuan-ti. After a time beyond counting they considered me...trained...enough to be sold to the lawless pirates of the Scarlett Brotherhood. But, through the timely raid of Amra the Lion, I was able to escape their clutches. Alas! They would not so easily let slip the price paid for me, and have hunted me ever since. As the Guild that runs Greyhawk is thick as thieves with the pirates, they sought to catch me again and be rewarded for returning me to bondage! But you, noble knight, have saved me! For such kindness I would see you...rewarded. Surely a slayer of such might and prowess as yourself was on some quest of moment and destiny? As I have interrupted such, give me a chance to repay kindness with kindness. To where do you head now? Might not your quest be made easier with more...eyes to...watch your...back?"
ReplyDeleteShe speaks the last sentence as if the exact definition of "eyes," "watch," and "back" were foreign words with unclear and debatable definitions.
The driver tends the fire as his two "guests" get acquainted after their harrowing experience. To Imagen and Lover's questions, he answers, "that way, my friends, leads to noplace but an early grave. To tell true, it is a tunnel that leads under the river. From what I have heard, anyways. Tis very old. And those that go down there, do not return. Foul things of the dark haunt it. Even if all of you had some proper healing -- and you haven't -- it wouldn't be a place you'd wish to go."
ReplyDeleteHe rises from the fire and steps over Ashe's resting form. He walks over to the wall carvings opposite the stairs and starts feeling around. "Our best bet is to cross on the river. The bridge will be the most heavily watched. The Rhenee are barge-folk. Strangers to this land and mistrusted by most. But, if you have the coin, they can be most useful." He turns from his work in trying to find the correct mechanism. "You do have some coin, don't you? I assumed as much since the Guild was so keen to have your necks. And didn't one of them mention something about a map?"
OOC: Lover, you get 4 hit points back. Good to hear from you, Josh!
“Well, actually, now that you mention it, I suppose I was on a quest. I really just want to see the world, meet new people and eat new foods; that sort of thing. I’m not really against fighting if I have to, but that last battle really kicked my ass. I see your point about sticking together, but those were some of the worst mammer jammers I’ve ever had to fight, and if we come across them before I’ve healed up, it won’t matter if we’re together or not.”
ReplyDelete"New food?" the man says, turning his head about with an eyebrow raised. "Have you been to Burgermeister Meisterburgers?"
ReplyDeleteSuddenly, Reulon pushes on the correct section of wall and the slow, heavy grinding sound is heard once again. Dust falls from above as the panel begins to shift out of the way. Everyone must blink their eyes as daylight pours through the opening (it seems overcast outside, but still blinding after nine hours in darkness).
The man pokes his head outside and says, "seems like it's all clear... no sign of the bargefolk yet, though."
OOC: Looks like Josh is still interested in continuing. Can we get an "amen!" from the Shawnster? At this point, the story kind of hinges on her.
OOC: Just heard from Shawna, boys. She can't keep up with the game, so we have a choice before us. Here it is:
ReplyDelete1. Drop Retributive Strike! and move on. It happens sometimes, and that's okay.
OR...
2. Keep this ball rolling. To do this, we would need a few things...
a. We'd need to add another player. I'd NPC Ashe for a short time, but it would be VERY short.
b. We'd need everybody's posting rate to be substantially more consistent. At least, once per week, but 2-3 times would be much better.
Let me know what you feel is best. I can keep going, but we need a full party that can keep up with the blog.
Let's discuss this by e-mail, if you would.
Ashellis emerges from underneath the archway and begins to descend the muddy riverbank. Lover and Imagen are close behind her. All three of them blink furtively at the daylight pouring beneath the great span of stone looming above. It is mostly cloudy, but after spending over nine hours in the pitch black of the secret chamber inside the piling of Zagig's Bridge, even an overcast sky is blinding.
ReplyDeleteReulon mutters profanely under his breath. He closes the shifting stone doors once again, leaving his wagon inside. He'll have to track down his horses, or acquire some new ones, before returning to fetch the rest of his things.
Ashe walks down to the side of the Selintan where the cattails are thick and water laps upon her boots. She bows her head, deep in thought.
After a few moments, she turns to her companions and says, "Imagen, Lover, Reulon... a night of innocent gambling with a drunken ice barbarian has led me down a dreadful path. I thought I was the winner, but only trouble has harried me ever since I walked out of the Gold Digger Tavern. And I've dragged each of you into it. Probably Axel and his family, too. No doubt the Guild will find the axe he gave to me and trace it back to him.
"You have all helped me to escape Greyhawk, and risked your lives doing it, but I will not allow any of you to die on my behalf. Though out of the city, we are far from in the clear." She crouches down and slides a tightly-rolled piece of parchment from her boot. She rises and holds it out.
"It's all over this... a map. That muscle-bound moron at the Gold Digger had nothing left to wager, so he bet me this in our contest of skill. I have come to learn that the Guild had planned to relieve him of it, but I foiled their plans. Unintentionally. Now they will not rest until they have it and I am dead. I want nothing more to do with it. I will toss it into the river or burn it if none of you want it. But at this point, I am going my own way. Perhaps I'll head to Ulek. Axel has kin there who were friends to my great-grandfather during The Hateful Wars. Maybe there I can shake the Guild and start over. But I will go alone."
Reulon steps forward and says, "I lost a lot during this little debacle. If that map is worth something, I'll take it. Perhaps it will help pay for a new team of horses. Of course, I was probably done in Greyhawk, anyway. The thieves and merchants were already at each other's throats, now it seems to be boiling into an all-out guild war. I can't operate in those conditions. Time for me to move on anyway." He looks at Lover & Imagen. "Unless either of you want it, I'll take it off her hands."
To the north, a barge can be seen slowly making its way downriver. The Rhenee are approaching. The wandering bargefolk are mistrusted wherever they ply the waters of the Flanaess, but perhaps they might be of service, especially so close to Greyhawk where the Guild makes life miserable for them as much as possible.
Reulon continues, "well, here they come. Ashe, you can ride their raft south if you have the coin -- or something else to trade. They can take you to Wooly Bay, but I'd stick to the Wild Coast side. Harby will be crawling with Guildsmen these days. You might be able to catch a ship to Ulek from Safeton or even Highport, if you have a strong stomach. Slave Lords are mostly through, but it's still a nasty place."
Ashe nods. The barge is drawing closer and Reulon waves them down.
OOC: Lover & Imagen must decide if they want the map and where to go from here. Ashe insists on paying each of them with items from her winnings. Pretty valuable-looking things, too. She's intent on making her way south, and want nobody to join her. She's hoping the Guild is more interested in her than the rest of you and she can get them off your trail.
Now wait just a gall-darned minute! I realize I almost did this exact same thing back there, but when I agreed to stick with you guys, it wasn't for nothin'. I set out for adventure, and if my life is gonna be in constant peril, it sure as heckfire better be the best damned adventure this world's ever seen. And that map is the key to that. If those dirty Guild bastards want it so bad, they're coming through me first. Plus I always wanted to go on a treasure hunt.
ReplyDeleteImagen joins Ashe in the river. For a moment the waves wash their boots in unison. Then, wordlessly, she takes the map and the valuables from desultory hands and both disappear as if by magic as she returns to dry land.
ReplyDeleteFirst she approaches Reulon.
"Kind sir," she says, her voice light and her eyes wide in the position of The Damsel. "You have risked much and lost more to see us safely out a city that surely would have claimed our lives. Would that I had a king's ransom to offer you, but Fate has left me with less than I even had when I entered the city." Her hands clasp his, and she places one of the choicest baubles in them. "Please take this. I hope it may buy you a team to replace that which you have lost, but if it does not, let it at least convey the thanks of a grateful maiden."
She turns away and approaches Lover. Slowly. Purposefully. A pink tongue moistens dry lips and her eyes narrow to thin slits. In one hand she offers to him the map, and in the other is a bag with exactly half the valuables in it.
"If not for you my lifeless body would now litter the road out of Greyhawk and wild dogs would feast on my entrails." She steps closer. Closer still. Lover faintly detects the sweetness of the spiced rum. "An you desire the map, then it, and all you desire, shall be yours. And I pledge to help you claim it, as you have already helped me."
"Uh, thanks," he mumbles. Lover shudders a bit. Something about Imagen seriously creeps him out. Maybe it was the line about dogs feasting on entrails. Gross. However, he does take the map. It's not that he really wanted to carry the map. He just wanted the adventure, but Imagen was knocked out on the first blow in the last battle. It would be safer in his possession.
ReplyDelete"Ashellis, I didn't know you long, and in those moments, I almost died, so I can't say it was the most pleasurable first encounter, but I'm sure you are indeed a nice person. I wish you all the best."
"Soooo.....I don't know about you guys, but I still feel like crap. Any chance we can go somewhere to heal up a bit before looking for this buried treasure?"
OOC: Kathy and I just got moved into our new place over the weekend! Woohoo! That means we'll have time to create her character this week, so she should be ready to join the adventure by this weekend at the latest. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteOOC: Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteOOC: Oy! If a Conan book doesn't promise at least one would-be attacker that "dogs shall feast on your entrails!" then the author doesn't get paid. =)
ReplyDeleteAlso, Hi Cat! Good to know ya!
Hey, I don't know why her picture shows up on her Comment, but not her profile. If anyone with levels in Computermancy has a guess, please do share it.
BIC: As Lover turns to address the others, Imagen grins and playfully flicks her forked tongue at his back. When he again falls silent, she smiles and addresses Reulon with eyes wide and hands clasped in front of her, the position of The Loyal Scribe.
"I concur with my Lord Lover's assessment. Know you aught of the nearest healer?" She turns her head and gazes wistfully in the direction of GreyHawk. "Although one in the opposite direction from which we came might be a bit more advisable."
If Lover seems nonplussed at being called 'Lord', a smirk and quick wink are his only answer.
The Gray Wolf, as he is known by some, examines the object Imagen offered to him. When she asks where a healer might be available, he answers with only a subtle flick of his head upriver.
ReplyDeleteTurning that way, the adventurers see a large flat-bottomed barge gliding down the Selintan, nearing the weedy riverbank. There is no place to dock nearby, but their shallow-draft vessel can easily ply a cranberry bog if necessary. Short, dark-haired, tan-skinned folk bustle about on the deck. They wear leathers and homespun, brightly colored clothing of an unusual nature. Some of them use great poles to direct the craft towards the shore, others fetch ropes and a long, rickety contraption fashioned from parallel slats of wood and what appear to be empty ale kegs.
There are several cabins affixed to the deck of the barge, and it does not take long to see that these people can spend their whole lives without touching land. Fish is being smoked, babies are being nursed, clothing mended, children are playing, and sundry other daily activities are being performed across the deck. They seem to be a cheerful bunch as they shout back and forth to each other in a strange, incomprehensible language.
A pair of young Rhenee men haul the strange contraption to the edge of the vessel. A few others leap from the deck to the riverbank with ropes. Soon the barge comes to a stop, about fifteen to twenty feet from shore, and the strange object is thrown overboard. As it fully unravels, the adventurers can see that it is a rope bridge with kegs attached to float upon the water.
Reulon quickly stashes the trinket that Imagen gave him, and he whispers, "watch your coinpurse." Atop one of the cabins, a silver-haired man with a weathered face crouches with sparkling eyes. He scrutinizes the group carefully and he is the only Rhenee not smiling. A long wood and metal staff is cradled in his arms.
OOC: Lover, please add Balcon's Map to your inventory.
When the boat is first spotted, Imagen cuts the middle of her poncho open so that the front can be thrown back to resemble a poorly-made cloak, and which will more better reveal the charms of her scholar's outfit.
ReplyDeleteAs the boat approaches, she heeds The Grey Wolf's advice and scans it, trying to size the social hierarchy, and who the best thieves would be.
OOC: Perception check: 19 + 6 = 25.
BIC: She then greets young Rhenee men as they spring to shore. To whomever seems oldest, or immediately in charge, she says, "In the name of Lord Lover the Mighty, I greet you. Might we secure passage upon your fine vessel? If so, my lord shall require usage of your quartermaster as well as your healer. Is this agreeable to you?"
OOC: Diplomacy check: 12 + 10 = 22.
Also, further heeding Reulon's advice, she has a continuous Perception check going for people making Sleight of Hand checks. =)
OOC: Lover doesn't wink at people. He thinks winking is weird and has a hard time doing it.
ReplyDeleteBIC: Just as Lover is about to say, 'But I'm not a Lord', he stops himself. Lord Lover the Mighty. He liked the sound of that. Plus it appeared Imagen was doing some sort of trickery. She's a crafty one, that Imagen. His mind races. What would a Lord say in these situations? Also, do Lords wear explorer outfits? Probably not. Oh well, give it your best shot. He puffs out his chest a bit, and tries to act bored at the situation. It's the rare occasion where Lover decides to say nothing at all.
In broken common tongue, the Rhenee welcome 'Lord' Lover, Imagen, Ashe, and Reulon aboard the barge. The floating bridge wobbles horribly when crossing, and the heroes require a helping hand from the water-folk more than once. Once safely on deck, children run around the newcomers, laughing. The fellow atop the cabin with the strange hollow staff and Reulon exchange glances through narrowed eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe Rhenee are very friendly and seem to fawn over Imagen (she is an outsider in these parts as they are). They are greeted by the barge-captain who is a short, stout man of about fifty. But he is still hale and vigorous. He offers the adventurers the hospitality of his vessel through a translator (perhaps his grand-daughter?). The entire barge is bustling with activity.
OOC: The group may request goods, healing, or any other services. Ashe will pay from her winnings. They don't have everything under the sun, but it is like a small floating village. Ashe is already speaking with the captain for passage to Safeton.
If Kathy is interested in playing a Rhenee, now might be a good time for her to jump in. How's her character sheet coming?
Imagen communicates that Lord Lover the Mighty desires first healing, then a merchant, then quarters. If these are all found suitable he will then deign to inform us of his point of demarcation. Any further inquires will be met with implications of bad manners and that Lord Lover could not possibly be expected to answer such questions while so grievously wounded.
ReplyDeleteThrough the whole discussion she's throwing bedroom-eyes at the captain.
After the formal discussions are complete, Imagen sidles next to the translator and engages in some friendly talk before she has to run off with her lord. If possible Imagen gets her name, and tries to arrange a social meeting with her later.
After the healer, Imagen would like to try to replace as much of the stuff that she lost in Greyhawk as possible. Specifically: a backpack, a compass, a lantern and some oil, some rope, and a waterskin. And a heavy mace (because I just found out I'm proficient with them. =) Oh, and another hip flask with more strong drink, for thirst is a dangerous thing!
At the first opportunity Imagen gets to be alone with Lover, the words she says are, "My Lord, to which port shall we travel?" But with her hands she gives a sign. It's a sign that is quite BASIC, and was used in many a Dangerous Cave, usually by Pirates who were on an Adventure. It was later perfected by Adams and Adams in The Great Underground Kingdom. It's a mere two words, but their significance is profound:
"examine map"
(Bluff check 7 + 10 = 17 success to pass simple message)
The Rhenee are very hospitable and friendly. They offer the heroes food, drink, and music while they work out assorted business affairs. The wise-woman of the barge-folk gladly heals Lover's wounds, and whispers to him as she works that she knows he is not a lord. "Far from it, stranger... you are a servant, a servant of the flesh and bone of Oerth herself. You have a great task set before you." She sees his ring set with a reddish triangular stone. "Protect this on your journey. Fallen heroes will guide you on your way." The old woman seems very kind, but she happily takes the payment offered by Ashe.
ReplyDeleteImagen busily acts as the mouthpiece for her companions, though Reulon is content not to speak at all. He takes no food and keeps to himself mostly. The Gray Wolf has arranged passage across the Selintan, and that's about it.
Lost gear can easily be replaced, and Ashe also purchases several small stoppered earthenware flasks of healing draught for her comrades.
The Rhenee children are fascinated with Lover and Imagen. They hang on the limbs of the former, trying to climb such a great tree of a man. The tallest of the barge-folk is still shy of six-feet. Many also crowd around Imagen -- a rare visitor who is darker complexed than they. They crowd around her, and unlike Lover, they seem a bit more reluctant to touch her. A few manage to brush her skin or hair out of curiosity. It may be difficult to get alone.
OOC: Go ahead and add the above gear to your inventory, Imagen. But, be sure to modify your weight carried, as well. You may fill your hip flash with Rhenee Firebelly.
Lover can get back to full hit points. The two of you are furnished with three potions of cure light wounds (1d8+3) and a bottle of cure moderate wounds (2d8+3).
Lover, you may attempt a Sense Motive roll to see if you understand what the hell Imagen is trying to tell you.
OOC: Here's my character sheet. Let me know what else I should fill in: http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=1023473
ReplyDeleteLover is glad he no longer must put on this charade. As much as "Lord Lover" had a nice ring to it, goofing off with the Rhenee children was much more fun, no matter how un-lordly it might be.
ReplyDelete"Sing with me children, 'Burgermeister, Meisterburger..." Lover laughs and sings. That healing potion really did the trick. He felt like a million gold pieces.
Where were they off to? Lover had not a care in the world. Follow the map for buried treasure? That could be fun. Continue on his previous adventure? That had a nice ring to it. Teehee. Nice ring to it. Get it? Lover cracked himself up. However, to be honest, wherever this ship may land would be fine by him. But it seemed Imagen was trying to tell him something:
Sense Motive: 9 + ??
Of note, Imagen makes sure to get healed too.
ReplyDeleteAs Lover respons to her double-secret message with a second chorus of "Burgermeister, Meisterburger", Imagen closes her eyes and sighs slowly, resigning herself to following his lead. While the children swarm around her noble Lord, Imagen starts asking for small, random objects from the crowd of leftover adults, from daggers to coins. She starts making them disappear and reappear in odd (and occastionally embarassing) places, and then she starts a routine of juggling them and keeping up a running tally of baudy jokes.
OOC: Slight of Hand check in place of Perform: Not in danger, take 10 + 6 = 16; entertaining performance.
BIC: Occasionally she'll reel in someone for audience participation, usually to have them do some minor but embarrassing gag. (Like she'll try to make men dance around, or women to flex their muscles, etc.) If anyone interesting catches her attention, she'll reel them in, and ask for a small object. But when the object 'disappears', she'll wink and shoo them away and say they'll have to ask for it back a little later.
Five minutes into her performance, a memory comes unbidden to her surface thoughts.
She's 12, and has just won her first full-scale wargame. She expects to be rewarded. She is handed three daggers.
"You mussst juggle thessse for an hhhour. For every one that fallsss, your back will hhhold what your hhhandsss can not."
She shakes her head to clear the unwanted phantom.
The scar from that night is very feint.
After many hours of playing with the children, Lover returns to the wise old woman. "You recognized this ring, so you must be pretty smart in the ways of the world. I'm off to seek fun and adventure in strange lands and faraway places. What do you think is more exciting, a buried treasure hunt or looking for earth blades to stop evil princes? I mean, on the one hand, stopping princes of evil sounds like it could be a good idea, especially if they're really evil, but also treasure hunting sounds fun. I suppose stopping evil would be more heroic, but treasure sounds like fun. What do you think?"
ReplyDeleteAs the sun nears the highest point in the sky, Lover and Imagen have managed to earn themselves quite a number of admirers among the barge-folk. But after a few hours of fun, Rhenee mothers & fathers corral their offspring and try to get a few chores out of them before the mid-day meal.
ReplyDeleteReulon and Ashellis have both made arrangements for their next destination, and purchases have been made for supplies & provisions. Things calm down a bit as the Rhenee prepare to move on downriver. They have other stops to make before the day is done.
Lover sits with the wise woman to learn more from the aged lady. She tells him that the two paths he is considering may merge further down the road. "You may choose one or the other, but may find that both forks in the river are in fact one. I see that your destination may have already been decided. How you reach it is completely up to you."
The captain approaches Imagen to learn where she and the boy-giant are bound. Ashe will be staying on board for the forseeable future, and Reulon is getting ready to take a small rowboat for the far shore.
With things much quieter, Imagen and Lover meet in the wise woman's hut. In the light of her tiny flickering stove, the companions unravel the piece of parchment that Ashe bequeathed to them...
OOC: Time to start a new thread!