Alard’s eyes widen in surprise as the bag is dumped onto the desk in front of him with a heavy, slightly wet thud.
“Ears? Who the hell takes ears?? Are you evil?!”
He is desperately looking each of you in the eyes as if trying to gauge your individual levels of psychopathy. After a moment he seems to calm down and collects himself, smoothing the creases of his robes over his belly. As Garavant continues his story, with Grunic providing physical emphasis, Alard licks his lips nervously and then reaches out to the bag, holding it at the top and tentatively lifting it to feel the weight. It barely lifts an inch off the table before he drops it, gagging.
“Rawwrrk. That fells like. Awwgghhhh. Twenty six kills. Hmmmm. Hrrrahum. Eugghhh...”
Alard picks up a cup from his desk and discretely spits into it, then bends down to open a drawer. He produces a large, heavy-looking bag and drops it onto the desk’s polished surface with a clatter before reaching inside it. As you watch on he takes handfuls of gold coins from the bag and counts them out in piles of twenty five, one for each orc, ogre and orog killed within the Stone Tooth.
“Six hundred and fifty, to split as you see fit. And this...“he counts out another two stacks “...is fifty for the bandits; we had traders reach town warning us of the road block, and by the looks of this I can draw no conclusion except that you saw them off. The stories you tell of other beasts within the Stone Tooth are worrying; I shall make sure that the townfolk are warned to stay clear of venturing into the mountain. Thank you for stopping the raids, you have Blasingdell’s thanks as well as your reward"
As the colour returns to his face, Alard resumes his relaxed posture, hands resting once more upon the soft bump of a life well lived.
“Enjoy the freedom of our town, friends. You are welcome here, always”
Gruenic reaches into the bag and pulls out an orog ear, holding it up. “Look at this fine ear here. He was hard to take down! Surely he was worth more than (pulling out an orc ear) one of these other ears, right? And this ogre(pulls out the ogre ear, looks at it) What do you think, look at that!” He snorts and wipes his nose with his forearm, then plops the ears down on the table to measure them side by side. He gives the vibe of a smelly brute that wants to be paid properly, the muscle that Alard would rather hear about, rather than see, up close, in person in all of their (bloody) glory, encouraging him to pay up properly for taking down the larger creatures.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Sila speaks suddenly, "The girls, Courana and Geradil, did they make it back safely? We would like to check on them but hadn't the time to inquire where they stayed. Do you know of them?" Sounding concerned, and possibly adding a little energy to Gruenic's negotiations.
At the presentation of the monetary reward, Garavant nods politely again. He turns to regard his companions, his face now looking away from there understandably somewhat disgusted patron, and grins. His left eye winks. He enthusiastically gives Gruenic a pat on the back.
At Sila's query, he turns back to look at Alard. "Aye, they seemed like fine lasses. I do hope they are safe and secure and happy."
Bree is a bit taken aback by being called evil: "I was told this is the way to go to show how many orcs we killed. Do you have another preferred method we might employ in the future? We wouldn't want you having bad experience working with the Van Gogh Squad (Thats us!)"
“Hah, yes, Van Gogh! I like the tale of that feller. That’s us, the Van Gogh squad, helping you out and making your town safer!” He lets one of the ears plop down on the desk, gives a big toothy grin at Alard.
(Gruenic is presenting himself as being a ruffian. Usually he would not be so uncouth, but he is using this for effect.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Lucy has no interest in business talks. But one word of the Master at Arms stops her tapping on the floor. An expression on Bree's face makes up her mind. The elf girl waits till everyone finishes talking then steps forward and puts one hand on the guards desk. "… I usually let others talk. That's not because I don't know how to speak. I just don't want to waste my breath other than casting spells. But now I can't sit in silence anymore. Didn't you forget something Master Alard? I heard your thanks but I haven't heard sorry! " Lucy hits the desk and leans forward. Her nose almost touches Alard's. "How dare you call us EVIL! Do you know what we have gone through? Our half elf and monk bathed in orc blood and were bloody injured. The half orc was treated like a potato sack and almost eaten like a giant potato! The halfling cut and carried these rotten meat all the way here just to make you pleased and relieved. " One by one, the bladesinger points to her friends. " You are a guard. You should imagine how you would feel after risking your life to protect your people and find they call you bloody murder! Oh also I don't forget that you sent five of us to the fortress filled with two dozen armed beasts. You didn't even give us any information about their number and armament until I asked you! Show your respect, human! We are not some ass licking sellswords! We are adventurers! We are the Van Gogh Squad! And you better remember it!"
Sila smiles at Lucy's defense of Bree and details of what they all went through within the Forge thinking that she's very happy that the Bladesinging Wizard is on their side.
Alard smiles awkwardly as Gruenic carries out his deliberately vulgar shakedown, every wet slap of ear on desk making him wince. He is so fixed on the animated cleric that he does not notice Lucy seething at his earlier comment.
“Well, the, ah, agreement was for orcs. I, ah, think I have been reasonable to pay for the ogre and orog, but, ah, OK I shall pay an extra fifty for the pair, for a total of seven fifty?”
While he waits for an answer, Bree places her objection to his use of the word ‘Evil’. He looks humbled before saying “I’m so sorry, of course, I’ve been behind this desk too lng and neglected to agree a suitable method of proooo-OH MY GODS!”
He recoils as Lucy lunges towards him, chair skidding back from the desk and arms shielding his face instinctively. The bladesinger’s sharp tongue whittles him down for a good minute, punctuated by yelps and cries of ‘Yes!’ or ‘No!’ as appropriate.
When the vicious – but incredibly well enunciated – telling-off is over, Alard Pashar looks like a broken man. His lip quivers for a moment before he finds the strength to speak: “I’ve faced raiders from north of the Spine, gnolls birthed by Yeenoghu for the express purpose of destroying my army and hill giants who took my head for a particularly juicy melon. But you, m’lady, scare me”
He takes a handkerchief from his top pocket and dabs at his face, goes to take a sip from his cup only to see it has been knocked over in the excitement, takes a deep breath and puts his hands flat on the desk.
“I apologize sincerely, friends. You have proven your work and it is not my place to judge how. The, er, Van...Gogh...Squad”he smiles approvingly, “are deadly friends indeed”
He looks over to Sila, searching his memory for the names that she gave: “Corana and Geradil, yes they are Blasingdellians but I have not heard of or from them for a while – they are farmers so that’s not unusual, I did not even know that they were gone, much to my shame. Their farm is to the south of town, the other side from here. The Kerresen’s farm”
Alard looks at the piles of coins in front of him, then at all of you, politely and silently prompting for an answer to his offer.
Gruenic straightens up and looks at his companions, gives a curt nod and then awaits acceptance from the others, apparently satisfied with the offer. He smiles at Alard and holds up a V with his fingers for Van Gogh.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Sila smiles, "Thank you sir, I shall look in on them while here and hope to find them well." Making mental note of details provided regarding their farm. She continues, "We have much more to do as my friends have mentioned. Should we encounter other creatures, would you be offering additional compensation and what form of 'proof' do you desire? Perhaps our word would be preferred?" She says making a pointed glance at the mess on his desk.
Lucy stares at Alard for another five seconds. Then she nods approvingly. " Your apology is accepted, Master Alard.I am glad that you are a person with a good sense. " The elf girl leaves the desk of the guard and returns to her friends.
Gruenic looks at Lucy and his level of respect for her just went up about 10 notches. He sees her in a new light and he glances as each of his companions, a look of honor to be associated with each of them on his face. "Yeah!" he doesn't say this aloud, but it is clear on his face. His grin gets even wider at Alard. He gives Lucy a nod and if he has everyone's approval, picks up the bag of gold, for distribution to The Squad out of Alard's office and away from his eyes.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Alard's eyes follow Lucy all the way to a safe distance before he responds to Sila: "Well now the contract I was authorised to sign you for was to clear the orc raiders. However, if you find evidence of a larger threat inside the Stone Tooth, or indeed a resource which may be of use to Blasingdell, then I shall gladly negotiate a fair reward"
Glancing at the bag on his desk for a second and then back to the monk.
Garavant's eyes glitter with excitement at Lucy's articulate outburst, though he's partly concerned that there source of income may be horribly alienated by the verbal assault. He breathes a quiet sigh of relief when Alard manages to keep his composure. All's well that end's well, the half-elf says and a smile comes to his face.
"I assure you our dealings with you will continue to be just as fully honest as they have been thus far," he says to Alard when the subject of evidence comes up.
Turning to the group, he says "Well I suppose it is either time to stock up on supplies or to enjoy a drink and a meal to celebrate the first but certainly not last successful mission of the Van Gogh Squad."He too flashes a V with his fingers, joining in on the fun.
"That is reasonable." Then with an imitation of the V for Van Gogh backs away with respect and exits the office with the others.
Outside, she grins at the group. "Seems we've made a name for ourselves here now." She says looking back over her shoulder at the barracks for emphasis. "Glad you're on our side Lucy. How shall we split this up?" Waving a hand at the bag in Gruenic's hands after they walked a little distance. "I have a couple of places to visit and the funds will be useful."
"I would like to stop and look in on Corana and Geradil at the Kerresen's farm on the south side of town to see if they made it back alright and stop in to Tolm’s Superior Outfitting and Dry Goods to see what can be done with the furs, if anything. Aside from the inn, where else does everyone need to go?"
Gruenic holds out the bag, feeling good as he walks out of the office. “Besides getting some supplies before we head back, the only other thing I would like to do is see if anyone could modify Old Yarrack’s armor so that I can wear it. Let’s stay together and head through town, get these things done quickly and then we will be off. Hopefully what we have said will discourage others from looking around at the Stone Tooth, but you never know.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"Thank you for your confidence. If we find some kind of threat, and come back with a bag full of evidence. You can assume that there will be no threat anymore." Lucy bids farewell to the Master at Arms and leaves his office.
"I will go shopping first." The elf girl answers Sila while checking her equipment. "Not to mention the food and drinks. I need new clothes. I've read many books about adventurers. None of them told me that the adventure consumes garments this badly! If I keep taking hits like our last battle, I will have nothing to wear in the near future. The portion heals my wounds but it can't fix my shirts! …Oh I have to buy new arrows, brush and paints too. My Selene (Magic Longbow) deserves arrows better than orc made pointy sticks. And she is a lady. I can't let her stay naked."
Bree stays a bit quiet after Lucy's outburst. Walking out silently with the rest. Then running back in grabbing the sack of ears: "Oh, sorry. Don't want to leave you with this mess. I will dispose of them for you." she says while putting back the ears in the sack. "Or you can keep them if you want, but I don't think so, right?"
When she joins the others she awkardly walks to Lucy: "Thanks for standing up for us in there. We should maybe work on your delivery, but at least you were very convincing" she says a smile starting on her face.
"Let's start shopping indeed, as for splitting the money, I say let's split it equally it's a good start for us working together in the long run. Maybe Sila and me can find some additional materials to make little trinkets we can hand out as kind of marketing or something." She puts up her vingers in a V. "I like it Gruenic! I think it's catchy."
Garavant returns the V gesture whenever Bree or another party member flashes it. One time he adds, in a dramatic voice: "Remember, remember the 5th of Marpenoth..." but it somehow doesn't ring true to the ear.
To Gruenic's suggestion, he says: "I suppose I should peruse the local selection of weapons and leather armors, though I don't have high hopes. For me, a quick look at a weaponsmith's and an armorer's should help me build up my appetite and thirst. I do want to maintain good relations with the local taverners after all."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Alard’s eyes widen in surprise as the bag is dumped onto the desk in front of him with a heavy, slightly wet thud.
“Ears? Who the hell takes ears?? Are you evil?!”
He is desperately looking each of you in the eyes as if trying to gauge your individual levels of psychopathy. After a moment he seems to calm down and collects himself, smoothing the creases of his robes over his belly. As Garavant continues his story, with Grunic providing physical emphasis, Alard licks his lips nervously and then reaches out to the bag, holding it at the top and tentatively lifting it to feel the weight. It barely lifts an inch off the table before he drops it, gagging.
“Rawwrrk. That fells like. Awwgghhhh. Twenty six kills. Hmmmm. Hrrrahum. Eugghhh...”
Alard picks up a cup from his desk and discretely spits into it, then bends down to open a drawer. He produces a large, heavy-looking bag and drops it onto the desk’s polished surface with a clatter before reaching inside it. As you watch on he takes handfuls of gold coins from the bag and counts them out in piles of twenty five, one for each orc, ogre and orog killed within the Stone Tooth.
“Six hundred and fifty, to split as you see fit. And this...“ he counts out another two stacks “...is fifty for the bandits; we had traders reach town warning us of the road block, and by the looks of this I can draw no conclusion except that you saw them off. The stories you tell of other beasts within the Stone Tooth are worrying; I shall make sure that the townfolk are warned to stay clear of venturing into the mountain. Thank you for stopping the raids, you have Blasingdell’s thanks as well as your reward"
As the colour returns to his face, Alard resumes his relaxed posture, hands resting once more upon the soft bump of a life well lived.
“Enjoy the freedom of our town, friends. You are welcome here, always”
Gruenic reaches into the bag and pulls out an orog ear, holding it up. “Look at this fine ear here. He was hard to take down! Surely he was worth more than (pulling out an orc ear) one of these other ears, right? And this ogre (pulls out the ogre ear, looks at it) What do you think, look at that!” He snorts and wipes his nose with his forearm, then plops the ears down on the table to measure them side by side. He gives the vibe of a smelly brute that wants to be paid properly, the muscle that Alard would rather hear about, rather than see, up close, in person in all of their (bloody) glory, encouraging him to pay up properly for taking down the larger creatures.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Sila speaks suddenly, "The girls, Courana and Geradil, did they make it back safely? We would like to check on them but hadn't the time to inquire where they stayed. Do you know of them?" Sounding concerned, and possibly adding a little energy to Gruenic's negotiations.
At the presentation of the monetary reward, Garavant nods politely again. He turns to regard his companions, his face now looking away from there understandably somewhat disgusted patron, and grins. His left eye winks. He enthusiastically gives Gruenic a pat on the back.
At Sila's query, he turns back to look at Alard. "Aye, they seemed like fine lasses. I do hope they are safe and secure and happy."
Bree is a bit taken aback by being called evil: "I was told this is the way to go to show how many orcs we killed. Do you have another preferred method we might employ in the future? We wouldn't want you having bad experience working with the Van Gogh Squad (Thats us!)"
“Hah, yes, Van Gogh! I like the tale of that feller. That’s us, the Van Gogh squad, helping you out and making your town safer!” He lets one of the ears plop down on the desk, gives a big toothy grin at Alard.
(Gruenic is presenting himself as being a ruffian. Usually he would not be so uncouth, but he is using this for effect.)
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Lucy has no interest in business talks. But one word of the Master at Arms stops her tapping on the floor. An expression on Bree's face makes up her mind. The elf girl waits till everyone finishes talking then steps forward and puts one hand on the guards desk. "… I usually let others talk. That's not because I don't know how to speak. I just don't want to waste my breath other than casting spells. But now I can't sit in silence anymore. Didn't you forget something Master Alard? I heard your thanks but I haven't heard sorry! " Lucy hits the desk and leans forward. Her nose almost touches Alard's. "How dare you call us EVIL! Do you know what we have gone through? Our half elf and monk bathed in orc blood and were bloody injured. The half orc was treated like a potato sack and almost eaten like a giant potato! The halfling cut and carried these rotten meat all the way here just to make you pleased and relieved. " One by one, the bladesinger points to her friends. " You are a guard. You should imagine how you would feel after risking your life to protect your people and find they call you bloody murder! Oh also I don't forget that you sent five of us to the fortress filled with two dozen armed beasts. You didn't even give us any information about their number and armament until I asked you! Show your respect, human! We are not some ass licking sellswords! We are adventurers! We are the Van Gogh Squad! And you better remember it!"
Sila smiles at Lucy's defense of Bree and details of what they all went through within the Forge thinking that she's very happy that the Bladesinging Wizard is on their side.
Alard smiles awkwardly as Gruenic carries out his deliberately vulgar shakedown, every wet slap of ear on desk making him wince. He is so fixed on the animated cleric that he does not notice Lucy seething at his earlier comment.
“Well, the, ah, agreement was for orcs. I, ah, think I have been reasonable to pay for the ogre and orog, but, ah, OK I shall pay an extra fifty for the pair, for a total of seven fifty?”
While he waits for an answer, Bree places her objection to his use of the word ‘Evil’. He looks humbled before saying “I’m so sorry, of course, I’ve been behind this desk too lng and neglected to agree a suitable method of proooo-OH MY GODS!”
He recoils as Lucy lunges towards him, chair skidding back from the desk and arms shielding his face instinctively. The bladesinger’s sharp tongue whittles him down for a good minute, punctuated by yelps and cries of ‘Yes!’ or ‘No!’ as appropriate.
When the vicious – but incredibly well enunciated – telling-off is over, Alard Pashar looks like a broken man. His lip quivers for a moment before he finds the strength to speak: “I’ve faced raiders from north of the Spine, gnolls birthed by Yeenoghu for the express purpose of destroying my army and hill giants who took my head for a particularly juicy melon. But you, m’lady, scare me”
He takes a handkerchief from his top pocket and dabs at his face, goes to take a sip from his cup only to see it has been knocked over in the excitement, takes a deep breath and puts his hands flat on the desk.
“I apologize sincerely, friends. You have proven your work and it is not my place to judge how. The, er, Van...Gogh...Squad” he smiles approvingly, “are deadly friends indeed”
He looks over to Sila, searching his memory for the names that she gave: “Corana and Geradil, yes they are Blasingdellians but I have not heard of or from them for a while – they are farmers so that’s not unusual, I did not even know that they were gone, much to my shame. Their farm is to the south of town, the other side from here. The Kerresen’s farm”
Alard looks at the piles of coins in front of him, then at all of you, politely and silently prompting for an answer to his offer.
Gruenic straightens up and looks at his companions, gives a curt nod and then awaits acceptance from the others, apparently satisfied with the offer. He smiles at Alard and holds up a V with his fingers for Van Gogh.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Sila smiles, "Thank you sir, I shall look in on them while here and hope to find them well." Making mental note of details provided regarding their farm. She continues, "We have much more to do as my friends have mentioned. Should we encounter other creatures, would you be offering additional compensation and what form of 'proof' do you desire? Perhaps our word would be preferred?" She says making a pointed glance at the mess on his desk.
Lucy stares at Alard for another five seconds. Then she nods approvingly. " Your apology is accepted, Master Alard.I am glad that you are a person with a good sense. " The elf girl leaves the desk of the guard and returns to her friends.
Gruenic looks at Lucy and his level of respect for her just went up about 10 notches. He sees her in a new light and he glances as each of his companions, a look of honor to be associated with each of them on his face. "Yeah!" he doesn't say this aloud, but it is clear on his face. His grin gets even wider at Alard. He gives Lucy a nod and if he has everyone's approval, picks up the bag of gold, for distribution to The Squad out of Alard's office and away from his eyes.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Alard's eyes follow Lucy all the way to a safe distance before he responds to Sila: "Well now the contract I was authorised to sign you for was to clear the orc raiders. However, if you find evidence of a larger threat inside the Stone Tooth, or indeed a resource which may be of use to Blasingdell, then I shall gladly negotiate a fair reward"
Glancing at the bag on his desk for a second and then back to the monk.
"The form of evidence is...at your discretion"
Garavant's eyes glitter with excitement at Lucy's articulate outburst, though he's partly concerned that there source of income may be horribly alienated by the verbal assault. He breathes a quiet sigh of relief when Alard manages to keep his composure. All's well that end's well, the half-elf says and a smile comes to his face.
"I assure you our dealings with you will continue to be just as fully honest as they have been thus far," he says to Alard when the subject of evidence comes up.
Turning to the group, he says "Well I suppose it is either time to stock up on supplies or to enjoy a drink and a meal to celebrate the first but certainly not last successful mission of the Van Gogh Squad." He too flashes a V with his fingers, joining in on the fun.
"That is reasonable." Then with an imitation of the V for Van Gogh backs away with respect and exits the office with the others.
Outside, she grins at the group. "Seems we've made a name for ourselves here now." She says looking back over her shoulder at the barracks for emphasis. "Glad you're on our side Lucy. How shall we split this up?" Waving a hand at the bag in Gruenic's hands after they walked a little distance. "I have a couple of places to visit and the funds will be useful."
"I would like to stop and look in on Corana and Geradil at the Kerresen's farm on the south side of town to see if they made it back alright and stop in to Tolm’s Superior Outfitting and Dry Goods to see what can be done with the furs, if anything. Aside from the inn, where else does everyone need to go?"
Gruenic holds out the bag, feeling good as he walks out of the office. “Besides getting some supplies before we head back, the only other thing I would like to do is see if anyone could modify Old Yarrack’s armor so that I can wear it. Let’s stay together and head through town, get these things done quickly and then we will be off. Hopefully what we have said will discourage others from looking around at the Stone Tooth, but you never know.”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"Thank you for your confidence. If we find some kind of threat, and come back with a bag full of evidence. You can assume that there will be no threat anymore." Lucy bids farewell to the Master at Arms and leaves his office.
"I will go shopping first." The elf girl answers Sila while checking her equipment. "Not to mention the food and drinks. I need new clothes. I've read many books about adventurers. None of them told me that the adventure consumes garments this badly! If I keep taking hits like our last battle, I will have nothing to wear in the near future. The portion heals my wounds but it can't fix my shirts! …Oh I have to buy new arrows, brush and paints too. My Selene (Magic Longbow) deserves arrows better than orc made pointy sticks. And she is a lady. I can't let her stay naked."
Bree stays a bit quiet after Lucy's outburst. Walking out silently with the rest. Then running back in grabbing the sack of ears: "Oh, sorry. Don't want to leave you with this mess. I will dispose of them for you." she says while putting back the ears in the sack. "Or you can keep them if you want, but I don't think so, right?"
When she joins the others she awkardly walks to Lucy: "Thanks for standing up for us in there. We should maybe work on your delivery, but at least you were very convincing" she says a smile starting on her face.
"Let's start shopping indeed, as for splitting the money, I say let's split it equally it's a good start for us working together in the long run. Maybe Sila and me can find some additional materials to make little trinkets we can hand out as kind of marketing or something." She puts up her vingers in a V. "I like it Gruenic! I think it's catchy."
Garavant returns the V gesture whenever Bree or another party member flashes it. One time he adds, in a dramatic voice: "Remember, remember the 5th of Marpenoth..." but it somehow doesn't ring true to the ear.
To Gruenic's suggestion, he says: "I suppose I should peruse the local selection of weapons and leather armors, though I don't have high hopes. For me, a quick look at a weaponsmith's and an armorer's should help me build up my appetite and thirst. I do want to maintain good relations with the local taverners after all."