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Post by mister frau blucher on Aug 24, 2011 9:17:07 GMT -5
The dawn is cold, gray, and wet. You stand outside in the courtyard, after a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast of biscuits and chilly mutton stew. Reynaldo, Tembo, Rrollwuh, Khanmahtt, Enyeto, and Mundy check their gear and look over the assembling marketplace - a rather glorified term for the three stalls of worn implements for sale. But there are also iron rations here, and a few implements that might be handy at your destination. There is a large merchant's store, but it is closed and does not look likely to open before you take the trail to the mountain of Cygnosa.
Tembo's brief visit to Mother Sara finds her concious but weak. She will clearly recover, but it may take a good deal of time. She smiles at his company and gives him a gift of four stimulants [each heals one hit]. She reminds him of the reading and advises alertness, as there are other players about. She says she has no idea why the alchemical ingredients were sought by the snacas - they are rather ordinary, insofar as that branch of knowledge goes.
As the party is looking over the meager merchants' stalls, the captain of the guard approaches them. His eyes are red and it is clear he has not slept.
"Morning, gents. Meant to thank you for your help last night. Been a long one. Glad you are rested, though.
"I hear you are heading off to Cygnosa. Whatever your quest there is, I would like you to discover what you can about snaca activity there. Find out, if possible, why they attacked and if there are any more. There is a small city of them on the southern end of the first level, from what we are told.
"The north part of that level is dominated by orcs, though some of them are friendly. The top of the mountain is watched over by an ancient castle, which caprians have occupied as long as this keep has stood. You can trust them a little, as long as you pay thier fees. You can go to the keep and pay to enter the mountain, or find one of the other entrances.
"The road to Cygnosa is well-marked and fairly easy, you should get to the foot of the mountain in a quarter day.
"At any rate, if you are able to discover some information, I can take some of our monthly pay and divert it to your purses."
As the captain is finishing up his speech, Norx joins you. "Well, are we ready to go? I am eager."
[You may buy the following from the merchants: 1 day iron rations/1 silver piece; 50' hemp rope/5s; torch/2copper; tinderbox/1s; lantern/5s; 6 hours supply of oil/1s; canteen/2s; canvas cloak/10s; backpack/5s; wide copper bracelets/3s.
Mundy and Norx will be NPC's unless their players return, at which point they will be taken over by their players. For the moment I'll control them, but Blackjack, since you have one character, you may take over Mundy if you wish.
I am assuming Khanmahtt drank one of the vials of mashu, so there are two left.
Inform me of what you are buying and any conversations you have, and then we'll head out on the trail.]
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Post by blacknigel on Aug 24, 2011 16:25:40 GMT -5
[You may buy the following from the merchants: 1 day iron rations/1 silver piece; 50' hemp rope/5s; torch/2copper; tinderbox/1s; lantern/5s; 6 hours supply of oil/1s; canteen/2s; canvas cloak/10s; backpack/5s; wide copper bracelets/3s. I am assuming Khanmahtt drank one of the vials of mashu, so there are two left. [Before I load my dudes down like "Bill the Pony" can you give us some guidelines? The mountain is less than 1 day away, but How long are we expecting to be journeying in the mountain? How long does a torch typically last when compared to a lantern with 6 hours of oil? Is the canvas cloak in any way waterproofed or resistant? Yes Khanmahtt used one of the mashu. He has given one to Rrowullh, for now. How big (capacity-wise) is the now empty stone vial? I'm thinking of hanging on to the empty, or offering it to Tembo for any sort of 'refill' he needs to cook up. But before I do, I was wondering how useful it might be in other ways. A stone waterproof (and hopefully crush proof) container sounds like a useful thing to have.]
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Post by mister frau blucher on Aug 24, 2011 16:38:12 GMT -5
[Before I load my dudes down like "Bill the Pony" can you give us some guidelines? The mountain is less than 1 day away, but How long are we expecting to be journeying in the mountain? How long does a torch typically last when compared to a lantern with 6 hours of oil? Is the canvas cloak in any way waterproofed or resistant? Yes Khanmahtt used one of the mashu. He has given one to Rrowullh, for now. How big (capacity-wise) is the now empty stone vial? I'm thinking of hanging on to the empty, or offering it to Tembo for any sort of 'refill' he needs to cook up. But before I do, I was wondering how useful it might be in other ways. A stone waterproof (and hopefully crush proof) container sounds like a useful thing to have.] Well, if all goes well you could be back in a couple of days. If you get injured and need to hole up somewhere, a week, maybe two. You may have an opprotunity to buy more grub at the caprian keep or even in the mountain... Torch - 2 hours. The canvas cloak seems to be water-resistant...the light rain drizzling on you this morning does not look like it is getting through. The stone vial has a very small capacity - a few ounces. Looks to be crush-proof. The cap is threaded.
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Post by blacknigel on Aug 24, 2011 16:46:38 GMT -5
(Unless you want us to role-play it, take it as given that Rrowullh and Khanmahtt graciously accept Reynaldo and Tembo's invitation. Having suggested that Enyeto and Mundy should meet up with them at the Mistwraith Inn, he tries to provide the introduction of having them join as well.
Any remaining idle time, Khanmahtt tries to get Enyeto to show him how to work those hatchets. As a former Juggler, how Enyeto fights with two axes have captured his imagination. "Are they balanced for throwing?")
Rrowullh casts a wary glance at Norx as he approaches. Any greeting or questions about his absence is better left to his comrades. "Captain, you mention the Caprians' fees. What sort of toll do they charge for entry?"
Waiting for an opportunity Khanmahtt says, "Captain-suhr, my brother and I are very interested in why the Snacas attacked too. If we learn anything at the mountain regarding them that would help fill the story, we will bring it to you. Was anything learned from the Snaca-mage Ahswald brought you last night ?"
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Post by blackjack on Aug 24, 2011 19:24:25 GMT -5
Enyeto goes to the merchant and picks up the following. 3-torches, tinderbox, 4-days rations, backpack, cloak,and a canteen. (22 silver, 6 copper total) (to Khanamahtt) "They are balanced for throwing." "My people consider any man past his 14th summer, ready for war." "We learn the way of the tomahawk, bow and knife as soon as we can walk."
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Post by mister frau blucher on Aug 25, 2011 10:44:37 GMT -5
The captain scratches his head as he responds to Rrowullh. "They are inconsistent in what they charge. Their keep is actually the upper terminus of an underworld trade route, so they see a few merchants from below, and I guess they soak them for access to the upper world. I know a few partuies have reported a toll of 50 silvers to enter, for their whole party. Others have said 10 silvers per person. They don't haggle, so I'd suggest being polite before you ask for entrance beneath their keep."
To Khanmahtt's question, he replies, "That snaca is awake now, and the baron's mage briefly interrogated him. It is tough understanding their minds, but it seems like the reason for the raid was two-fold; to take certain alchemical supplies for a yet-undisclosed purpose, and to simply cause terror here at the keep. We are speculating as to why thay would do that; hopefully not for a larger assault. I am hoping you may shed some light."
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Post by blacknigel on Aug 25, 2011 17:35:22 GMT -5
[Khanmahtt purchases the following: 7 days rations, 50' rope, 5 torches, tinderbox, canteen, cloak, and backpack. 31 silver total (less the 1 silver for dinner last night, he should have 43 silver left. Rrowullh purchases: 7 days rations, tinderbox, lantern, 4-oil, canteen, cloak, backpack and 2 of the wide copper bracelets. 40 silver total plus last night's dinner, he should have 34 silver left.]
As Rrowullh concludes his business, Khanmahtt makes a whuffling noise as air escapes past his lips and whiskers. "What, brothurr, are you going to do with the prehtty cahpur jewehllree? Even if they fit your paws, they will impede your bowstring."
Rrowullh ducks his head at the jibe, "If one fits, I'll wear it on the draw hand. Besides they may not be mine long. Sometimes a thing is valued just because it is shiny and bright, rather than what it is truly worth. They may be useful for trade in the mountain or have some other valuable purpose. You still carry that empty vial, don't you? Wouldn't Tembo make better use of it?"
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Post by blacknigel on Aug 25, 2011 17:45:17 GMT -5
"They are balanced for throwing." "My people consider any man past his 14th summer, ready for war." "We learn the way of the tomahawk, bow and knife as soon as we can walk." "Furrteen - is young for Hue-man, yes? Why do you become warriors so young? Does your land make life so harsh that the people must learn to fight from your mother's teat? Or do your people have great enemies? I do not insult you. I have seen a little of how you fight and am impressed. I would like very much for you to show me some of your tricks sometime. A whirlwind of axes you are; and you called me demon. You are the demon-fighter. Hah."
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Post by blackjack on Aug 25, 2011 19:45:21 GMT -5
"My people come from a great swamp. If you do not learn to fight you become food or worse." "Where do you people come from? The only cats I have ever seen could not speak and wanted to eat me?"
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Post by mister frau blucher on Aug 26, 2011 14:18:50 GMT -5
[Hey, guys - I may be incommunicado for a few days, as this hurricane is going to hit here tomorrow. When Isabel hit we were without power for 10 days - hopefully this time is not so bad.
Anyway, we'll catch up ASAFP - hopefully on Monday! Hope everyone else is out of the path!]
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Post by blacknigel on Aug 26, 2011 15:40:28 GMT -5
[Hang on tight Bret. Philly is supposed to get some of your hurricane "leftovers" on Sunday, but hopefully it won't be too bad. We're a good distance inland, but I still expect to loose power from downed trees and maybe some flooding. May your beer stay cold until you get a chance to drink it.]
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Post by Lord Inar on Aug 29, 2011 10:58:48 GMT -5
Hi all, I've been a bit busy at work (and I forgot to bookmark the new thread!) Let me catch my breath and I'll catch up as well.
- Marc
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Post by mister frau blucher on Aug 31, 2011 8:58:20 GMT -5
[OK, guys, power back on at both work and home. Chris, Mike, hope you guys made it through with minimal damage.
It will take me another day or so to get caught up here at work, but then I'll get the equipment and money squared away in the current character status post, and we'll start off for the mountain. Sorry about the delay!
Also, Mojobillbo contacted me to let me know his free time is gone with family and little league right now. For now, we are going to have his character Mundy accompany the party. At some point he may stay at a location where MB can pick him back up when he is able to return.
In addition, blackjack said he might create a mage to accompany the party. We'll see in a few days! Same bat-time, same bat-channel!]
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Post by Lord Inar on Aug 31, 2011 12:20:52 GMT -5
Reynaldo would like to purchase about 20 feet of rope (not ultra thick, just enough to support one person at a time) and 10 days of rations, if it's not too heavy.
Tembo is fairly tapped out money-wise, so he's done until we leave.
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Post by blackjack on Aug 31, 2011 22:39:21 GMT -5
Bret Glad your ok. I have I will post the new character tomorrow evening. I will send you a brief history and skills. Again, its good to here your ok.
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