"So I take it we didn't accept the job." Aubrey says as the elf leaves. "Any thoughts on which of the current job offers could be most profitable?" He asks the team, taking a sip of his wine.
Deliberating on how best to discretely inquire about the market square magic shop murder, Aubrey can think of a handle of folks that might be worth inviting over for a social dinner.
Lord and Lady Vinn control most of the land in the market district and most likely own the buildings in which the murder occurred. Their family may know something. While the Lord and Lady prefer to host from their estate on the lakeshore (and would, frankly, be unlikely to accept your dinner invitation), their adult children Maya and Reynald are both actors at the Northern Star Productions and are known to enjoy dining out on other people's tabs. Its unclear if they would be privy to the same info as their parents... but maybe?
Ser Gottfried Vanderhorn is the youngest son of the Vanderhorn family. Dating back to the Amnifortis days, the Vanderhorns were close allies of house Goldentide and they remain friendly to this day. Ser Gottfried was your sponsor into the Old Mill Taphouse [*I don't think we had officially named that person yet, so here you go]. You don't know that Ser Gottfried would necessarily know anything but it has been a while since you've had him over for dinner and perhaps he has some ideas or has heard some rumors?
You could invite one of the business owners adjacent to the murder site? While they would be unlikely to have details shared with them by the authorities, they may have been questioned and in those questions there could be some clues as to where the investigation is leading. Likewise, they may have heard some rumors, or at least have some background on the deceased.
Failing all else, you could extend an invitation to Judex Caius Spezza. You can't say whether he would accept... but if he does you might be able to learn a bit about his own investigation into Malia's attack as well as anything he knows about the market square investigation. Though this seems like a long shot.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
When Grugga mentions the hydra leather armor, Leelan smiles.
"Well, if you think so, I think I could allow myself the luxury. Thank you kindly."
When they reach the tavern, the gnome sits down with all the other members of his company and orders the fish meal with the side of potatoes and a tall glass of water. The short visit of the elven fellow catches his curiosity, but when it is decided that they wouldn’t be doing business with him, he lets it go.
"Well, I suggested our last contract. And I believe we’ve got wrapped up in something bigger than we intended at first. So why don’t you all choose our next job?"
Grugga considers the list of possible jobs, "Well, I'm not sure how successful the bounties would be. I haven't been here long enough to know how common Scabs are around these parts. They were fairly common in Raven's Hill, though, so I'm pretty confident in fighting them if we choose that. But I think that latest posting might be the best - finding that lost item." He looks to Aubrey conspiratorially, "or we could try to solve that magic shop murder. I bet that would earn us some clout around town and endear us to the judexi. It could lead to some real serious jobs after something like that." He looks to Rohuzar and Guilimto drive the point home, "A murder where it was necessary to use an extremely powerful magical artifact - people would be clamoring for our services after that." He takes a long sip of stout, but says nothing else.
"Yes I could certainly make some discreet inquiries regarding that murder, but it will take some time I'm afraid. Perhaps we should proceed with this very urgent stolen property job immediately and I will do my investigation as soon as possible after that." Aubrey suggests to the others. "I will off course inform you as soon as I think I have any information pertinent to the case."
Guilim orders water and the cheapest meal available, not really having much need for anything fancy. "Regardless of which job we take most of it goes to the Redbrands. Still we have only worked one job together so we shouldn't take anything to big until we get used to each other."
“You are concerned they take too much? Ah. Guild rates are… significant, but ve are still much richer than just a few days ago. Much of the guild’s take covers the taxes involved. I also keep small amount back each time for expenses. Grugga should not have to pay for materials out of his own pocket. I vill pay in future.” Rohuzar gestures emphatically that this is the way it is and will be henceforth.
The small glass bottle Rohuzarsets on the table is stoppered and with a wax seal. A paper label stuck to the glass indicates this is a Kindlewood Distillery product, bottled in Bluffton. It is identified as Bourbon Whiskey, crafted to precise Imperial standards and finished in brandy casques salvaged from the famous Amnifortis expedition of 2091. This particular bottle is labeled 'Barrel No. 02; Bottle No. 022.' The rest of the label included fine print in Old Imperial:
Just legalese detailing the various licenses the product is bottled under and the different statutes which prohibit unauthorized or unlicensed resale of wine and spirits.
There is enough in the bottle for each party member to have 2 fingers worth of drink in their glass... more if some abstain. On the nose, there is the scent of caramel along with rich, sweet fruit like raisin or dried cranberry and a touch of warm spice. It starts off strong but then the heat relaxes after the initial sip. There’s more fruit on the palate, but it’s more on the juicy red side—think ripe cherry and plum. Honey, and caramel follow, along with nuts, then a nice spicy clove note on the finish. It has a slightly tannic, but not dry mouthfeel.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Grugga raises a toast to his party, "To our first success! With many more to come. Skoll!" and he drinks down about a finger of whiskey. "what do you all say, should we find out a bit more about this urgent mission after lunch?"
About halfway through lunch, Grugga looks like he suddenly remembers something. He reaches into one of the pouches at his waist and pulls out a small canvas sack. "This would have been better if I'd remembered before you went to the HQ, but the judexi paid me 20 silver pieces for my aid in their investigation. I suppose the guild needs its cut." he gently tosses the sack within reaching distance of Rohuzar.
"Say, Rohuzar, what's your story anyway? How'd you end up with the Red Band and how'd you end up in Bardstown? I can't place your accent."
Rohuzar holds his hand up to refuse the silver, but pulls out a small book where he writes down a few quick words.
“Keep the money. I am sure your costs for making the masks amongst other things make it fair. But please, report any money you are given to me. Guild name gets tarnished, and ve are out of job. Not vorth twenty pieces of silver.”
He takes a sip of the drink, and ponders Grugga’s question for a moment, staring back at him as though making an assessment. Then shrugs.
“No. I am not from Bardstown. I am from Disputed Lands. Is very… chaotic. Family left there as child. Traveled much. Hard. I spent time in legion as a legatus. I have skill. But I am orc. So I file for discharge. Need money. Have skills. Red Band seems most best deal and focuses on money. I need to retire someday. Not going to live in shithole and deal vith… people. I vill be rich man, not Orc.”
(So it sounds like 3 votes for the 'stolen property' job and 2 votes for the 'you guys pick the next job' job)
It has been such a busy day, Grugga may have lost track of the time. It is dinner, not lunch and the sun now hangs low in the sky. In the market, visible out through the raised patio, some shops and stalls are still open for business but others have closed for the day. The clocktower shows it is just after 18:00.
The Rare Earth Materials office and warehouse is across town in the Southside district. It would be a 25 to 30 minute walk from the Robust Hound. You can either finish your meals and drinks and hurry there directly to see if they will still see applicants for the job at this hour, or try in the morning.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Grugga nods a long while stuffing the last of the fish into his mouth. Once he finishes chewing, he says, "That sounds like a good plan. That way we'll know if we have a job tomorrow morning or not." Once he finishes he stands up and starts hefting his gear onto his back.
(DM has some time right now that I won't have later so I am putting this up. If anyone has unfinished business at the tavern don't let me rush you. But do let me remind you all to pay for your food and drinks and note character sheets. Its all fun and games until Jonny Nevers thinks you're skimping out on a check.)
Though wearing from the events of the last few days, you've gotten a taste of coin now and the opportunity for another lucrative job is too much to turn away from. You gather your things and depart the Robust Hound, hoping to reach this Esteban character at the Rare Earth Materials office in Southbank. There is still perhaps another hour of daylight. Clouds are building again in the west, though there are no fierce winds such as those that heralded last night's storms.
4
Along the way to Southbank you pass a small parade of hospitalers. Bards and minstrels play raucous up tempo music while men and women toss colored confetti to people on the street, or hand out colored chalk to children. A few carry their hats out and collect coppers from charitable onlookers.
25 minutes later you are approaching the Rare Earth Materials building along the main street running through Southbank. It stands out among the warehouses and other wood or brick building along the road, alone in this area as the only building with the marble columns more common up on the hilltop near the castle.
History DC 15
You recall hearing somewhere that Rare Earth Materials holds the exclusive export license for the rare metals adamantine and mithril. Mines and wholesale houses are permitted to sell those ores domestically, but any intended for sale to neighboring nations or shipment overseas must be brokered through Rare Earth Materials.
Arcana DC 15
You recall hearing somewhere that Rare Earth Materials is one of only a handful of enterprises and individuals in the Empire licensed to deal in powerful magic items and artifacts. Most of those other entities are colleges or research facilities, so on those rare occasions when a significant magic item becomes available for sale, it is often brokered through Rare Earth Materials.
As you approach the main door, you see that the windows are lit and the building still seems to be open and active. The door is a heavy dark wood and the handle and accents are filigreed bronze. Before you can knock, the door swings outward and an imposing figure emerges. Nearly seven feet tall and strapped in hide armor, the enormous human man looks like he hasn't bathed or slept indoors for a tenday. You count a half dozen weapons that you can spot on his person, including a longbow and a peculiar pole with an adjustable rope on the end, like something a dogcatcher might carry. He grins a gap-toothed smile he sees you. He eases past you down the street and gives a mock salute over his shoulder. "Sorry fellas... but this one is going to be mine." With a last cocky, but not overly aggressive smile, he disappears around a corner and out of view.
Inside the door, you catch a glimpse of another human man, the polar opposite of the last fellow. This man is in a custom tailored suit, a thin-waxed mustache and polished crystal bifocals.
Grugga:
You recognize these glasses... it is the latest (or at least the latest you have seen) Pentwater design and allows those afflicted with multiple eye disorders to view near and far objects by simply tilting their head and looking from another angle.
The door is swinging back closed when he notices you. It immediately swings back open. "Ah. More here about the job. Excellent. And no body lice on these ones. Most excellent. Come in. Come in." He pushes the door open wide and a hydraulic hinges slows the closing until you have all gotten inside. The interior is plushly carpeted and the walls and windows are all trimmed and sashed with decorative hardwoods. Instead of candles, magic infused stones sit in sconces along the walls, brightening the halls with warm, white light.
Aubrey:
You have been in the homes of respected nobility that are not so well decorated as this office building. The amount of coin that must pass through this place is likely staggering.
He guides you down a hallway to the left from the front foyer. "You're the third applicants to come through today. I hope you understand. This is a sensitive and urgent matter and we are not offering this as an exclusive contract. Whomever liberates the package and returns it to us will be compensated for the job." The hall opens up into a large office. A massive Mahogany desk sits across from a fieldstone fireplace. Above the mantle leers the mounted head of a black dragon.
Guilim:
This isn't the first such mount you have seen. A similar black dragon is mounted above the common room at the Hook & Axe compound in Lordstown. Thought that mount is easily twice as large as this one. The beast mounted here at the Rare Earth Materials must have only been a juvenile.
We steps behind the desk. On its surface you see several sheets of what look like glass, with pages from a book preserved in each sheet. Once behind the desk he looks you over properly. "From the outfits... you are... the Red Stripes?" he asks, almost remembering it properly. " I am Esteban. You've answered my advertisement so you know I have a very upset client and I need someone to fix this for me."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"We are considering taking care of the matter of liberating that package for your client. We would however require more information on the ranger, the package and the fee." Aubrey says to Esteban.
"We are considering taking care of the matter of liberating that package for your client. We would however require more information on the ranger, the package and the fee." Aubrey says to Esteban.
"Naturally." He adjusts his bifocals and begins to carefully organize the glass covered pages before him. "Among the many services we provided Rare Earth Materials, we operate a transport and delivery service for certain... unique items and artifacts. This can be a dangerous business, especially for jobs that originate outside the lawful environs of the Empire. One of our most distinguished clients recently hired our organization to collect and deliver a package for him. We assigned one of our most skilled couriers. The package was collected in the village of Wolfswood, far to the north in the NTF. Our agent made it as far as the village of Midway, just a half day west of Bardstown." He pauses for effect. "She was murdered, in cold blood, by the ranger hired to escort her safely home."
He carefully passes the glass-covered pages to you all. You can now see that these are pages, removed from a notebook or journal, written in common. Additionally, you see that some of the text - of the paper itself - is missing. The paper has voids, as though someone took a razor blade and cut out pieces of the text. "I apologize for the smudges. The fellow here just now was a bit of an oaf."
Page One:
May 3 - Received delivery of the package. (missing section) Teams B and C continued off to the North and East, respectively per instructions. I have hired a retainer from the ranks of the carcerimon rangers. In the event the distractions fail to throw off pursuit, this fellow by reputation should already have me well on my way back south. Let the games begin!
Page Two:
May 5 - I tire of this already. It has been two days of racing through thickets and narrow footpaths, constantly either climbing or descending hills. If only the damned land would make up its mind! My feet are blistered and torn, yet this ranger says we have only 5 hours to rest before we must be off again. On one hand, I recognize this is exactly what I paid him to do… but at the same time this is unacceptable.
I admit it is fascinating to think how easily we crossed the border into Vigor II’s Empire. For all the legionnaires and gated checkpoints on the roads… we simply walked through the forested hills, unmolested.
Page Three:
May 6 - Success. I convinced the ranger to agree we have put enough distance behind us, that we were able to stay at a proper inn. ‘The Silver Stag’ in Axehead. In another time I wouldn’t have graced this hovel with my presence… but sitting here in a copper tub, soaking my poor feet, this feels like a five-star hotel in Bardstown. I look forward to a much more leisurely pace for the rest of our trip.
Page Four:
(the handwriting changes noticeably... now jagged and uneven)
May 7? - Will this nightmare never end? I may be cursed, or this may simply be a severe necrotic injury. (missing section) I’d be dead myself if not for my ranger. Instead I just have this withered right arm. They better be able to fix this back home… it is absolutely hideous. Its like someone dug up an old corpse and replaced my beautiful hand. We made it out of the inn but he was wounded when I sent him back inside for the package. (missing section) We stole a horse and then rode like hell. I couldn’t even tell which direction. I must have passed out. When I awoke we were in a forest… I take it to be Maggie’s Wood, as the Ranger keeps dropping little treats from his pack every hundred yards. Though I’m not sure how we made it so far south so fast. He took us into a carcerimon safe house… a simple hut that accesses a cave underneath. There are others of his order here and they are trying to heal us. I need to rest.
Page Five:
May 10 - I’m on the run again. It has been days since I was free to write. It was those damned carcerimon. My ranger was perfectly compliant until those others got hold of him. Soon they were all looking at me funny… looking at the package. (missing section) My ranger looked at me like he had never seen me before. He had just yesterday risked his life… his soul for me. Now he looked at me like I was a monster. We departed that following morning from safehouse. In the light I could see Ars Dinodont up on the mountainside, so I confirmed we were in Maggie’s Wood, just at the northern edge.
He took me to Shelley and from there we took a skiff down to Northbridge. I’ve never been so scared in my life. He kept encouraging me to rest… to sleep. I couldn’t shake the feeling he planned to dump me overboard. To be safe I hexed him with a Charm… and he nearly shook it right off! I could feel him fighting me! As soon as we docked in Northbridge I ‘Suggested’ that he should turn around and sail back to Shelley and I took off running.
I weighed the risk of staying at an inn or camping out. Last night I found an old fisherman’s shack near the coast but tonight I am risking an inn. The ‘Holt & Stuffet Inn’ outside Midway. I put on the face of tired old bard when I checked in, so if anyone does come looking, I should be OK. By tomorrow afternoon I will be back in Bardstown and I can be rid of these things. There had better be a bonus after all that I have been through.
"Per her training, she had hidden her notebook where we were able to access it after her death. Between this," he takes an arrow with red hawk feathers from a drawer in his desk, "and two eyewitnesses who saw a single man, cloaked and with a shortbow steal into and flee from her room into the night, we are confident in the fact it was the rogue ranger who attacked her. And took off with the client's package."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Grugga scrubs his chin with the palm of his hand while he considers the implications of the journal. "Hrrmmm... it could be coincidence... but was the artifact a puzzle box of mithril and silver about yea big?" He holds his hands apart for measure.
Grugga scrubs his chin with the palm of his hand while he considers the implications of the journal. "Hrrmmm... it could be coincidence... but was the artifact a puzzle box of mithril and silver about yea big?" He holds his hands apart for measure.
edit: meant to roll for History: 10 Arcana: 15
"Negative. The item in question is a one of a kind crystal skull. An eagle skull, actually. I'm told roughly the same size as this paperweight," he says, pointing toward a pewter globe on his desk. It is just about the right size to sit in an open palm. "The actual item is much more impressive. It is said to be solid crystal, but it appears as though it is full of a green, translucent fluid. If you possess the means to test, it will detect as magic." Esteban is now looking over some of his own notes. "Oh. The original package, as it was shipped, contained a second, lesser magic item. A knife. If they are found together, they should be kept together and returned as such. If they have been separated, only the skull is of concern." He says this as though he is reading it direct from the page, not speaking from experience.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
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"So I take it we didn't accept the job." Aubrey says as the elf leaves. "Any thoughts on which of the current job offers could be most profitable?" He asks the team, taking a sip of his wine.
Aubrey:
Deliberating on how best to discretely inquire about the market square magic shop murder, Aubrey can think of a handle of folks that might be worth inviting over for a social dinner.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
When Grugga mentions the hydra leather armor, Leelan smiles.
"Well, if you think so, I think I could allow myself the luxury. Thank you kindly."
When they reach the tavern, the gnome sits down with all the other members of his company and orders the fish meal with the side of potatoes and a tall glass of water. The short visit of the elven fellow catches his curiosity, but when it is decided that they wouldn’t be doing business with him, he lets it go.
"Well, I suggested our last contract. And I believe we’ve got wrapped up in something bigger than we intended at first. So why don’t you all choose our next job?"
Grugga considers the list of possible jobs, "Well, I'm not sure how successful the bounties would be. I haven't been here long enough to know how common Scabs are around these parts. They were fairly common in Raven's Hill, though, so I'm pretty confident in fighting them if we choose that. But I think that latest posting might be the best - finding that lost item." He looks to Aubrey conspiratorially, "or we could try to solve that magic shop murder. I bet that would earn us some clout around town and endear us to the judexi. It could lead to some real serious jobs after something like that." He looks to Rohuzar and Guilim to drive the point home, "A murder where it was necessary to use an extremely powerful magical artifact - people would be clamoring for our services after that." He takes a long sip of stout, but says nothing else.
When the elf leaves, Rohuzar will pick up some cups from the bartender, and sets a bottle down at the table.
“Kindlevood Brandy. Ve have gained the good graces of the Lieutenan, it seems.”
He settles in to review the jobs available.
“Perhaps the Lost Property job vould be a good start to proving ourselves useful to the judexi. With their backing, we could become very rich indeed.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
"Yes I could certainly make some discreet inquiries regarding that murder, but it will take some time I'm afraid. Perhaps we should proceed with this very urgent stolen property job immediately and I will do my investigation as soon as possible after that." Aubrey suggests to the others. "I will off course inform you as soon as I think I have any information pertinent to the case."
Guilim orders water and the cheapest meal available, not really having much need for anything fancy. "Regardless of which job we take most of it goes to the Redbrands. Still we have only worked one job together so we shouldn't take anything to big until we get used to each other."
“You are concerned they take too much? Ah. Guild rates are… significant, but ve are still much richer than just a few days ago. Much of the guild’s take covers the taxes involved. I also keep small amount back each time for expenses. Grugga should not have to pay for materials out of his own pocket. I vill pay in future.” Rohuzar gestures emphatically that this is the way it is and will be henceforth.
Paladin - warforged - orange
The small glass bottle Rohuzar sets on the table is stoppered and with a wax seal. A paper label stuck to the glass indicates this is a Kindlewood Distillery product, bottled in Bluffton. It is identified as Bourbon Whiskey, crafted to precise Imperial standards and finished in brandy casques salvaged from the famous Amnifortis expedition of 2091. This particular bottle is labeled 'Barrel No. 02; Bottle No. 022.' The rest of the label included fine print in Old Imperial:
Just legalese detailing the various licenses the product is bottled under and the different statutes which prohibit unauthorized or unlicensed resale of wine and spirits.
There is enough in the bottle for each party member to have 2 fingers worth of drink in their glass... more if some abstain. On the nose, there is the scent of caramel along with rich, sweet fruit like raisin or dried cranberry and a touch of warm spice. It starts off strong but then the heat relaxes after the initial sip. There’s more fruit on the palate, but it’s more on the juicy red side—think ripe cherry and plum. Honey, and caramel follow, along with nuts, then a nice spicy clove note on the finish. It has a slightly tannic, but not dry mouthfeel.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Grugga raises a toast to his party, "To our first success! With many more to come. Skoll!" and he drinks down about a finger of whiskey. "what do you all say, should we find out a bit more about this urgent mission after lunch?"
About halfway through lunch, Grugga looks like he suddenly remembers something. He reaches into one of the pouches at his waist and pulls out a small canvas sack. "This would have been better if I'd remembered before you went to the HQ, but the judexi paid me 20 silver pieces for my aid in their investigation. I suppose the guild needs its cut." he gently tosses the sack within reaching distance of Rohuzar.
"Say, Rohuzar, what's your story anyway? How'd you end up with the Red Band and how'd you end up in Bardstown? I can't place your accent."
Rohuzar holds his hand up to refuse the silver, but pulls out a small book where he writes down a few quick words.
“Keep the money. I am sure your costs for making the masks amongst other things make it fair. But please, report any money you are given to me. Guild name gets tarnished, and ve are out of job. Not vorth twenty pieces of silver.”
He takes a sip of the drink, and ponders Grugga’s question for a moment, staring back at him as though making an assessment. Then shrugs.
“No. I am not from Bardstown. I am from Disputed Lands. Is very… chaotic. Family left there as child. Traveled much. Hard. I spent time in legion as a legatus. I have skill. But I am orc. So I file for discharge. Need money. Have skills. Red Band seems most best deal and focuses on money. I need to retire someday. Not going to live in shithole and deal vith… people. I vill be rich man, not Orc.”
”Until then, ve must vork hard.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
(So it sounds like 3 votes for the 'stolen property' job and 2 votes for the 'you guys pick the next job' job)
It has been such a busy day, Grugga may have lost track of the time. It is dinner, not lunch and the sun now hangs low in the sky. In the market, visible out through the raised patio, some shops and stalls are still open for business but others have closed for the day. The clocktower shows it is just after 18:00.
The Rare Earth Materials office and warehouse is across town in the Southside district. It would be a 25 to 30 minute walk from the Robust Hound. You can either finish your meals and drinks and hurry there directly to see if they will still see applicants for the job at this hour, or try in the morning.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"Shall we perhaps see about that stolen property job now, tomorrow might be too late." Aubrey suggests as he finishes up his meal.
Grugga nods a long while stuffing the last of the fish into his mouth. Once he finishes chewing, he says, "That sounds like a good plan. That way we'll know if we have a job tomorrow morning or not." Once he finishes he stands up and starts hefting his gear onto his back.
(DM has some time right now that I won't have later so I am putting this up. If anyone has unfinished business at the tavern don't let me rush you. But do let me remind you all to pay for your food and drinks and note character sheets. Its all fun and games until Jonny Nevers thinks you're skimping out on a check.)
Though wearing from the events of the last few days, you've gotten a taste of coin now and the opportunity for another lucrative job is too much to turn away from. You gather your things and depart the Robust Hound, hoping to reach this Esteban character at the Rare Earth Materials office in Southbank. There is still perhaps another hour of daylight. Clouds are building again in the west, though there are no fierce winds such as those that heralded last night's storms.
4
Along the way to Southbank you pass a small parade of hospitalers. Bards and minstrels play raucous up tempo music while men and women toss colored confetti to people on the street, or hand out colored chalk to children. A few carry their hats out and collect coppers from charitable onlookers.
25 minutes later you are approaching the Rare Earth Materials building along the main street running through Southbank. It stands out among the warehouses and other wood or brick building along the road, alone in this area as the only building with the marble columns more common up on the hilltop near the castle.
History DC 15
You recall hearing somewhere that Rare Earth Materials holds the exclusive export license for the rare metals adamantine and mithril. Mines and wholesale houses are permitted to sell those ores domestically, but any intended for sale to neighboring nations or shipment overseas must be brokered through Rare Earth Materials.
Arcana DC 15
You recall hearing somewhere that Rare Earth Materials is one of only a handful of enterprises and individuals in the Empire licensed to deal in powerful magic items and artifacts. Most of those other entities are colleges or research facilities, so on those rare occasions when a significant magic item becomes available for sale, it is often brokered through Rare Earth Materials.
As you approach the main door, you see that the windows are lit and the building still seems to be open and active. The door is a heavy dark wood and the handle and accents are filigreed bronze. Before you can knock, the door swings outward and an imposing figure emerges. Nearly seven feet tall and strapped in hide armor, the enormous human man looks like he hasn't bathed or slept indoors for a tenday. You count a half dozen weapons that you can spot on his person, including a longbow and a peculiar pole with an adjustable rope on the end, like something a dogcatcher might carry. He grins a gap-toothed smile he sees you. He eases past you down the street and gives a mock salute over his shoulder. "Sorry fellas... but this one is going to be mine." With a last cocky, but not overly aggressive smile, he disappears around a corner and out of view.
Inside the door, you catch a glimpse of another human man, the polar opposite of the last fellow. This man is in a custom tailored suit, a thin-waxed mustache and polished crystal bifocals.
Grugga:
You recognize these glasses... it is the latest (or at least the latest you have seen) Pentwater design and allows those afflicted with multiple eye disorders to view near and far objects by simply tilting their head and looking from another angle.
The door is swinging back closed when he notices you. It immediately swings back open. "Ah. More here about the job. Excellent. And no body lice on these ones. Most excellent. Come in. Come in." He pushes the door open wide and a hydraulic hinges slows the closing until you have all gotten inside. The interior is plushly carpeted and the walls and windows are all trimmed and sashed with decorative hardwoods. Instead of candles, magic infused stones sit in sconces along the walls, brightening the halls with warm, white light.
Aubrey:
You have been in the homes of respected nobility that are not so well decorated as this office building. The amount of coin that must pass through this place is likely staggering.
He guides you down a hallway to the left from the front foyer. "You're the third applicants to come through today. I hope you understand. This is a sensitive and urgent matter and we are not offering this as an exclusive contract. Whomever liberates the package and returns it to us will be compensated for the job." The hall opens up into a large office. A massive Mahogany desk sits across from a fieldstone fireplace. Above the mantle leers the mounted head of a black dragon.
Guilim:
This isn't the first such mount you have seen. A similar black dragon is mounted above the common room at the Hook & Axe compound in Lordstown. Thought that mount is easily twice as large as this one. The beast mounted here at the Rare Earth Materials must have only been a juvenile.
We steps behind the desk. On its surface you see several sheets of what look like glass, with pages from a book preserved in each sheet. Once behind the desk he looks you over properly. "From the outfits... you are... the Red Stripes?" he asks, almost remembering it properly. " I am Esteban. You've answered my advertisement so you know I have a very upset client and I need someone to fix this for me."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
History: 6
Arcana: 17
"We are considering taking care of the matter of liberating that package for your client. We would however require more information on the ranger, the package and the fee." Aubrey says to Esteban.
"Naturally." He adjusts his bifocals and begins to carefully organize the glass covered pages before him. "Among the many services we provided Rare Earth Materials, we operate a transport and delivery service for certain... unique items and artifacts. This can be a dangerous business, especially for jobs that originate outside the lawful environs of the Empire. One of our most distinguished clients recently hired our organization to collect and deliver a package for him. We assigned one of our most skilled couriers. The package was collected in the village of Wolfswood, far to the north in the NTF. Our agent made it as far as the village of Midway, just a half day west of Bardstown." He pauses for effect. "She was murdered, in cold blood, by the ranger hired to escort her safely home."
He carefully passes the glass-covered pages to you all. You can now see that these are pages, removed from a notebook or journal, written in common. Additionally, you see that some of the text - of the paper itself - is missing. The paper has voids, as though someone took a razor blade and cut out pieces of the text. "I apologize for the smudges. The fellow here just now was a bit of an oaf."
Page One:
May 3 - Received delivery of the package. (missing section) Teams B and C continued off to the North and East, respectively per instructions. I have hired a retainer from the ranks of the carcerimon rangers. In the event the distractions fail to throw off pursuit, this fellow by reputation should already have me well on my way back south. Let the games begin!
Page Two:
May 5 - I tire of this already. It has been two days of racing through thickets and narrow footpaths, constantly either climbing or descending hills. If only the damned land would make up its mind! My feet are blistered and torn, yet this ranger says we have only 5 hours to rest before we must be off again. On one hand, I recognize this is exactly what I paid him to do… but at the same time this is unacceptable.
I admit it is fascinating to think how easily we crossed the border into Vigor II’s Empire. For all the legionnaires and gated checkpoints on the roads… we simply walked through the forested hills, unmolested.
Page Three:
May 6 - Success. I convinced the ranger to agree we have put enough distance behind us, that we were able to stay at a proper inn. ‘The Silver Stag’ in Axehead. In another time I wouldn’t have graced this hovel with my presence… but sitting here in a copper tub, soaking my poor feet, this feels like a five-star hotel in Bardstown. I look forward to a much more leisurely pace for the rest of our trip.
Page Four:
(the handwriting changes noticeably... now jagged and uneven)
May 7? - Will this nightmare never end? I may be cursed, or this may simply be a severe necrotic injury. (missing section) I’d be dead myself if not for my ranger. Instead I just have this withered right arm. They better be able to fix this back home… it is absolutely hideous. Its like someone dug up an old corpse and replaced my beautiful hand. We made it out of the inn but he was wounded when I sent him back inside for the package. (missing section) We stole a horse and then rode like hell. I couldn’t even tell which direction. I must have passed out. When I awoke we were in a forest… I take it to be Maggie’s Wood, as the Ranger keeps dropping little treats from his pack every hundred yards. Though I’m not sure how we made it so far south so fast. He took us into a carcerimon safe house… a simple hut that accesses a cave underneath. There are others of his order here and they are trying to heal us. I need to rest.
Page Five:
May 10 - I’m on the run again. It has been days since I was free to write. It was those damned carcerimon. My ranger was perfectly compliant until those others got hold of him. Soon they were all looking at me funny… looking at the package. (missing section) My ranger looked at me like he had never seen me before. He had just yesterday risked his life… his soul for me. Now he looked at me like I was a monster. We departed that following morning from safehouse. In the light I could see Ars Dinodont up on the mountainside, so I confirmed we were in Maggie’s Wood, just at the northern edge.
He took me to Shelley and from there we took a skiff down to Northbridge. I’ve never been so scared in my life. He kept encouraging me to rest… to sleep. I couldn’t shake the feeling he planned to dump me overboard. To be safe I hexed him with a Charm… and he nearly shook it right off! I could feel him fighting me! As soon as we docked in Northbridge I ‘Suggested’ that he should turn around and sail back to Shelley and I took off running.
I weighed the risk of staying at an inn or camping out. Last night I found an old fisherman’s shack near the coast but tonight I am risking an inn. The ‘Holt & Stuffet Inn’ outside Midway. I put on the face of tired old bard when I checked in, so if anyone does come looking, I should be OK. By tomorrow afternoon I will be back in Bardstown and I can be rid of these things. There had better be a bonus after all that I have been through.
"Per her training, she had hidden her notebook where we were able to access it after her death. Between this," he takes an arrow with red hawk feathers from a drawer in his desk, "and two eyewitnesses who saw a single man, cloaked and with a shortbow steal into and flee from her room into the night, we are confident in the fact it was the rogue ranger who attacked her. And took off with the client's package."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Grugga scrubs his chin with the palm of his hand while he considers the implications of the journal. "Hrrmmm... it could be coincidence... but was the artifact a puzzle box of mithril and silver about yea big?" He holds his hands apart for measure.
edit: meant to roll for
History: 10
Arcana: 15
As they make their way to the shop, Leelan does give a 5 silver to the performers as he appreciates their craft.
History: 8
Arcana: 22
Leelan reads the notes as best he can, adjusting his glasses several times to help see the writing through smudges.
‘’Dreadful. How absolutely dreadful!’’
"Indeed."
"Negative. The item in question is a one of a kind crystal skull. An eagle skull, actually. I'm told roughly the same size as this paperweight," he says, pointing toward a pewter globe on his desk. It is just about the right size to sit in an open palm. "The actual item is much more impressive. It is said to be solid crystal, but it appears as though it is full of a green, translucent fluid. If you possess the means to test, it will detect as magic." Esteban is now looking over some of his own notes. "Oh. The original package, as it was shipped, contained a second, lesser magic item. A knife. If they are found together, they should be kept together and returned as such. If they have been separated, only the skull is of concern." He says this as though he is reading it direct from the page, not speaking from experience.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War