The group makes camp as it gets dark before they make it back to Rivermark. The cook reluctantly makes a bit more food from some of the wildlife the group catches as they find themselves pretty hungry after the day of taking out the bandit camp. Having the time to take in their surroundings, it truly is a beautiful area and with finding watching the old bandit and cook easy work, the group talks easy around the camp.
(Feel free to continue to get to know one another around the camp if you'd like)
The next morning you all get moving quickly as to get into Rivermark and have the full day ahead of you. Finding no trouble, you enter the village and settle your horses and wagon with the stable once more. It is a drizzling morning with fog coming in from the river, the mist hangs in the air and starts soaking your clothes the more you stand around in it.
Around the campfire, before hitting Rivermark the next day, Anachain would make a point of making sure everyone got each other's names and what they preferred to be called and the like as well as general background information they were willing to share. A more low-key style of your typical office meeting ice-breaker BS. "So DTs and Grimmy it is then," she jokes with a smile.
She explains the larger mission to newcomers - the whole starting story of the play and the Pearl and such that brought the original group to this point, go back and read start of thread if you need? - and explains that so far they have been working with the idea of everyone getting an equal share of the proceeds, if there are any. "Depending how far this adventure takes us, I could see this needing to be modified in the future. Mostly, I been thinking, there may need to be an extra share or two set aside for 'Group Needs' that really shouldn't be any one individual's burden to pay for. Things like mounts and carriages (we were lucky to acquire these on the free side) or I don't even know what. For now our needs are pretty basic but who knows what the future holds, if we stick together?"
Aside from that kind of general "getting to know you" stuff, Anachain doesn't have much she wishes to accomplish besides getting the prisoners safely back to town.
Once in town she similarly wants to go directly to the mayor's office to report their success and turn over the prisoners.
Kulloda drag the two prisoners out of the wagon once they get to the stables and gets them moving to follow Anachain to the mayor's office. He also retrieves the barrel of heads and follows along while carrying that.
Togar is very pleased with the status of his vest and puts it back on, straightening it just so. He mainly stays quiet during the rest of their travel, attempting to gain more information than he gives, listening to stories, waiting to see how this works out. He seems open to sharing and an equal split, in light of everything that has happened. He walks back to the mayor’s office, frequently commenting on how these magic items they will be shown had better not be some trinket or useless item, a stern look on his face.
Deniz has no further interest in the barrel of heads, nor in making any claim on the associated reward, being grateful simply to have escaped probably death at their hands, and having repaid the favor with his assistance in restoring safety to the roads. While the others visit the mayor, the elf makes arrangements to meet them later, then takes the opportunity to look around the elven town - the first that he has seen since leaving his own island home.
Despite the obvious elven influences, Rivermark is far different from anything he has encountered, having lived a relatively primitive lifestyle. He takes time to admire the graceful craftsmanship, including the carvings of flora and fauna. He passes manicured gardens of flowers and herbs, and occasionally stops to cause a stem to sprout new leaves with the flick of his wrist, or to help a passing bee find a particularly fragrant blossom with a soft word in the secret tongue of the elders.
Eventually his meandering course takes him to the points overlooking the river, and he stands for many long minutes either staring out across the river bends and steep lush banks, or simply standing there with eyes closed, breathing deeply, as the breeze ruffles his light robe and wafts his long dark hair across his bare chest...
On the road, Grimrin slowly starts to settle into an easy quietness with the group, often sitting nearby, crammed into some small space made by the roots of a tree or a stack of camping supplies. But as they enter town again, nervousness takes over. His eyes are often flitting down side alleys, or scanning faces of passersby. He follows Anachain, Togar, and Kulloda to the mayor's office, never straying far from their heels. As he walks, he does his best to wipe the dirt and grime of travel off his clothes, and adjust his cloak to cover a fresh food stain on his lapel.
Most of the group meanders their way back to the Keep where they know the Mayor's office is. The two guards they encountered yesterday are still at their post, though seeing you all does not do much to change their disposition as they lean against the wall. But as they notice the two captives they stand straighter and put their hands on the pommels of their swords. Doing their best to portray a somewhat air of authority.
"Uh, you're back. And with hostages. Mayor Windrider will be pleased." Arthur is about to step aside when he notices the barrel that Kulloda is carrying has flies circling above it. He sniffs the air, unsure if the smell is from the bandits or the barrel, he points at it, "What's in that?"
Deniz sees the Keep off to the North as the rest of the band heads in that direction. He turns East, towards the river and makes note of the well kept elven homes among the trees and along the ground. In the middle of the city, there are larger buildings that obviously house businesses rather than peoples homes and as he passes them on his way towards the water, he sees signs for the Riverkeep Inn, Silverbranch Archery Hall, Sylvan Atelier, Verdant Hearth and the Sunstone Tavern.
When he reaches the Serpent River, it is much lower than probably expected. Rivermark is up quite high on a cliff that overlooks the river. Further up North he can see a large bridge that has beautiful archways in its architecture that crosses from the North edge of Rivermark over to the shores to the East. From where Deniz stands, he doesn't see any towns or villages on the other side, the road disappears as the landscape heads down.
Anachain gives the guards a warm smile. She liked them and totally doesn't get that she kind of put them on the spot when she didn't realize the mayor was the mayor. Far as she is concerned, the mayor needs to stop turning coal into diamonds up her butt and relax a little...
"Now boys," she says with the air of a patient schoolteacher. "Hostages are held as security for a condition or payment. These here are prisoners, persons held legally for crimes they have committed! Held by us via the authority granted by that wonderful and kind mayor of yours..."
After Kulloda explains what is in the barrel Anachain shrugs. "You wouldn't believe how hard it was to convince him it wasn't lunch," she says to the guards in a fake conspiratorial whisper.
"Kulloda wanted to be sure it was evident we got the lot of them. I personally think the prisoners can be questioned on that subject but..." And she shrugs again as if to say "What ya gunna do?" while side-eyeing Kulloda.
Togar crosses his arms and purposefully looks away from the barrel, saying “Well, where is the mayor? We have returned, we have done the task that was asked, we are here for our reward. Hmmm. Please, can one of you go find her? The suspense is killing me.” Togar straightens down his feathers, then begins to drum his fingers on his feathered arm.
The two guards nod at Mother Anachain's reasonable explanation of the prisoners, it made perfect sense to them. But when the lid comes off... they both turn a sickly colored green and Percival covers his mouth quickly.
And then Anachain tells them she had to convince the half-orc is wasn't lunch.
Percival runs around to the back and you can all hear him lose his breakfast. Loudly.
Arthur has a bit more control, but puts his hand to his mouth to probably both contain what is inside and stop the smell from the outside. He mumbles, "Be right back" and disappears inside the Keep.
A few moments later you hear the Mayor approaching, "He didn't really bring the heads.."and she abruptly halts at the door as the smell hits her. "Oh he did." She takes a moment to collect herself, notices the captors and what appears to be a straggler of a halfling as well. She then looks to Togar as he was the one brokering the deal with her earlier.
"So, all of the bandits have been dispatched I see? The road is open for safe travel again?"
“Indeed it is. This is proof that we *ahem* managed your problem, “head on.” Ahuh. Ahuh. *cough, gag,spit* So the road is clear, all has been handled, we are here to report and see about this reward you promised, these powerful magical items that you aforementioned. You can do what you wish with the heads. Spikes might be good. As a reminder. So that people know you aren't messing around. Up to you.” Togar crosses his arms and brushes some imaginary dust off his shoulders and vest.
Kulloda roars with laughter when Percival runs off to be sick.
"Ha. Guard get sick from heads," Kulloda says, enjoying the scene immensely. "Guard will get sick again when have to move heads."
He stops laughing when the mayor arrives, but still smiles broadly.
Kulloda pulls out one random head to show the mayor as she talks with Togar. He then sticks it on the end of his glaive to illustrate what Togar is describing.
The Mayor crosses her arms as she listens to Togar, a slight frown appearing on her already dour face. She glances at Kulloda as he pulls a head out of the barrel and takes a step back as the half-orc proceeds to demonstrate what Togar is referring to.
"Yes, I see, spikes. But unfortunately, you seem to have forgotten the details of our agreement Mr. Togar. Yes, you seem to have erradicated the bandits and therefore opened up our trade route to the South. And that I am thankful for and will give you your 20 gold that we agreed upon. As for the magical items that were mentioned, you still have three days to earn those, but that requires opening the trade on the West road and the East route over the bridge. As I don't see any evidence of this, I am assuming this is still on your to-do list?" she drums her fingertips along her other arm as she waits for the answer she is presuming. Like waiting for a toddler to own up to painting on the wall when their fingers and face are clearly evident of the crime.
"The thing about Kulloda," Anachain says when the mayor comes out and is surprised that he brought actual heads, "He can be quite literal. You ask for heads, you get heads. He takes people at their word like that..." But all in all she finds the whole ordeal with the heads quite amusing. She has some sympathy for the guards but only a little - They are a disturbing sight but anyone who has seen actual battle has seen far grosser sights.
"Perhaps the best place for the heads to be planted on spikes would be in the area they harried for coin. A threat to others who would try the same and a reassurance to others that their travel is safer now... If you like your symbolism on the barbaric side, anyway."
Anachain then listens quietly as the topic of compensation is discussed, a frown growing upon her face. "I'm sorry misses madam mayor, I wasn't in on the meeting, as perhaps you will recall. My friends, however, seem to be under the impression the items were for clearing the bandits. And, as previously mentioned, Kulloda is quite literal about things. So... Are you twisting things now, after we have done the work? Or are you saying my companions couldn't comprehend the deal you offered them?"
(It was the later... Somewhere along the way it got forgotten the mayor wanted more than just the one job done for the magic... But Anachain wouldn't let the truth stop her from putting the mayor in a squirmy situation...)
“Look, we took care of your problem, so the trade routes will open! The trade will come! Hmmm, that's catchy, if you build it, it will come! So what exactly are you trading here? What sort of goods do you have?” he straightens his vest subconsciously. “What sort of wares does your little burg trade with neighboring towns?” Togar pauses and looks over at Kulloda, “We’re not the best salesmen, if you take my meaning. We are better at lopping the heads off bandits. We did what you asked and opened the trade route, took out their whole little nest. The rest is up to you! So, where are these magical items? Produce, and hold up your end of the bargain!”
"There was the pixies. We may have already chased them off... But maybe not," Anachain says in a mild attempt to be reasonable. "They had powerful magics though, it is no mean feat for us to return to where we found them and offer ourselves up as tribute on the mere speculation of what you may consider powerful magic items worth the risk. I think, at the very least, we would need to know what we were risking our lives for."
Kulloda puts the head back in the barrel and frowns at the mayor. She's not getting the heads if she doesn't pay for them.
He then points at Togar and nods.
"Maybe no one wants to trade with your town," Kulloda says. Then adds, "Now want pixie heads?"
He muses on that for awhile, getting lost in how they would be able to prove they had done something with the bridge. He was pretty sure they didn't have heads.
"I didn't actually ask for heads...nevermind. Yes, yes quite literal. Too bad you people don't literally listen. Of course I wouldn't twist things. I told them I was planning on using the items to hire people from Taligbar to handle our issues and if you all could do it for me instead, I was willing to part with them now. You all do seem quite capable, disbanding the bandits so quickly and efficiently."
She eyes the two that you brought with, already sizing them up. Turning her attention to Togar, she scowls further. "One trade route is open, one. I do not want our townsfolk to fear traveling, either for them or for visitors here as well. I have two other routes that still have issues as I have told you now several times. We trade all sorts of things, go check out the market if you're that curious."
As he says they are not the best salesmen, she sighs, "You did a third of what I asked, and I was willing to give you the 20 gold for that, but now I'm thinking of holding that back if you're going to consistently tell me you are falling back on our deal."
She turns away from the owlin, getting frustrated with him and back to the woman, "Yes your friends mentioned you ran into pixies. If you must know what the items are, you're going to have to wait. I don't have the catalog with me, one of our elders would know and I would have to confer with them. If you must know, I'll meet you at the Inn in a couple of hours. That suffice?"
The group makes camp as it gets dark before they make it back to Rivermark. The cook reluctantly makes a bit more food from some of the wildlife the group catches as they find themselves pretty hungry after the day of taking out the bandit camp. Having the time to take in their surroundings, it truly is a beautiful area and with finding watching the old bandit and cook easy work, the group talks easy around the camp.
(Feel free to continue to get to know one another around the camp if you'd like)
The next morning you all get moving quickly as to get into Rivermark and have the full day ahead of you. Finding no trouble, you enter the village and settle your horses and wagon with the stable once more. It is a drizzling morning with fog coming in from the river, the mist hangs in the air and starts soaking your clothes the more you stand around in it.
Around the campfire, before hitting Rivermark the next day, Anachain would make a point of making sure everyone got each other's names and what they preferred to be called and the like as well as general background information they were willing to share. A more low-key style of your typical office meeting ice-breaker BS. "So DTs and Grimmy it is then," she jokes with a smile.
She explains the larger mission to newcomers - the whole starting story of the play and the Pearl and such that brought the original group to this point, go back and read start of thread if you need? - and explains that so far they have been working with the idea of everyone getting an equal share of the proceeds, if there are any. "Depending how far this adventure takes us, I could see this needing to be modified in the future. Mostly, I been thinking, there may need to be an extra share or two set aside for 'Group Needs' that really shouldn't be any one individual's burden to pay for. Things like mounts and carriages (we were lucky to acquire these on the free side) or I don't even know what. For now our needs are pretty basic but who knows what the future holds, if we stick together?"
Aside from that kind of general "getting to know you" stuff, Anachain doesn't have much she wishes to accomplish besides getting the prisoners safely back to town.
Once in town she similarly wants to go directly to the mayor's office to report their success and turn over the prisoners.
Kulloda drag the two prisoners out of the wagon once they get to the stables and gets them moving to follow Anachain to the mayor's office. He also retrieves the barrel of heads and follows along while carrying that.
Togar is very pleased with the status of his vest and puts it back on, straightening it just so. He mainly stays quiet during the rest of their travel, attempting to gain more information than he gives, listening to stories, waiting to see how this works out. He seems open to sharing and an equal split, in light of everything that has happened. He walks back to the mayor’s office, frequently commenting on how these magic items they will be shown had better not be some trinket or useless item, a stern look on his face.
Deniz has no further interest in the barrel of heads, nor in making any claim on the associated reward, being grateful simply to have escaped probably death at their hands, and having repaid the favor with his assistance in restoring safety to the roads. While the others visit the mayor, the elf makes arrangements to meet them later, then takes the opportunity to look around the elven town - the first that he has seen since leaving his own island home.
Despite the obvious elven influences, Rivermark is far different from anything he has encountered, having lived a relatively primitive lifestyle. He takes time to admire the graceful craftsmanship, including the carvings of flora and fauna. He passes manicured gardens of flowers and herbs, and occasionally stops to cause a stem to sprout new leaves with the flick of his wrist, or to help a passing bee find a particularly fragrant blossom with a soft word in the secret tongue of the elders.
Eventually his meandering course takes him to the points overlooking the river, and he stands for many long minutes either staring out across the river bends and steep lush banks, or simply standing there with eyes closed, breathing deeply, as the breeze ruffles his light robe and wafts his long dark hair across his bare chest...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
On the road, Grimrin slowly starts to settle into an easy quietness with the group, often sitting nearby, crammed into some small space made by the roots of a tree or a stack of camping supplies. But as they enter town again, nervousness takes over. His eyes are often flitting down side alleys, or scanning faces of passersby. He follows Anachain, Togar, and Kulloda to the mayor's office, never straying far from their heels. As he walks, he does his best to wipe the dirt and grime of travel off his clothes, and adjust his cloak to cover a fresh food stain on his lapel.
Most of the group meanders their way back to the Keep where they know the Mayor's office is. The two guards they encountered yesterday are still at their post, though seeing you all does not do much to change their disposition as they lean against the wall. But as they notice the two captives they stand straighter and put their hands on the pommels of their swords. Doing their best to portray a somewhat air of authority.
"Uh, you're back. And with hostages. Mayor Windrider will be pleased." Arthur is about to step aside when he notices the barrel that Kulloda is carrying has flies circling above it. He sniffs the air, unsure if the smell is from the bandits or the barrel, he points at it, "What's in that?"
Deniz sees the Keep off to the North as the rest of the band heads in that direction. He turns East, towards the river and makes note of the well kept elven homes among the trees and along the ground. In the middle of the city, there are larger buildings that obviously house businesses rather than peoples homes and as he passes them on his way towards the water, he sees signs for the Riverkeep Inn, Silverbranch Archery Hall, Sylvan Atelier, Verdant Hearth and the Sunstone Tavern.
When he reaches the Serpent River, it is much lower than probably expected. Rivermark is up quite high on a cliff that overlooks the river. Further up North he can see a large bridge that has beautiful archways in its architecture that crosses from the North edge of Rivermark over to the shores to the East. From where Deniz stands, he doesn't see any towns or villages on the other side, the road disappears as the landscape heads down.
Kulloda sets the barrel down and lifts off the lid.
”Mayor want bandit heads so we bring barrel full,” Kulloda says but he does acknowledge the smell and wafts away a few flies.
Anachain gives the guards a warm smile. She liked them and totally doesn't get that she kind of put them on the spot when she didn't realize the mayor was the mayor. Far as she is concerned, the mayor needs to stop turning coal into diamonds up her butt and relax a little...
"Now boys," she says with the air of a patient schoolteacher. "Hostages are held as security for a condition or payment. These here are prisoners, persons held legally for crimes they have committed! Held by us via the authority granted by that wonderful and kind mayor of yours..."
After Kulloda explains what is in the barrel Anachain shrugs. "You wouldn't believe how hard it was to convince him it wasn't lunch," she says to the guards in a fake conspiratorial whisper.
"Kulloda wanted to be sure it was evident we got the lot of them. I personally think the prisoners can be questioned on that subject but..." And she shrugs again as if to say "What ya gunna do?" while side-eyeing Kulloda.
Togar crosses his arms and purposefully looks away from the barrel, saying “Well, where is the mayor? We have returned, we have done the task that was asked, we are here for our reward. Hmmm. Please, can one of you go find her? The suspense is killing me.” Togar straightens down his feathers, then begins to drum his fingers on his feathered arm.
The two guards nod at Mother Anachain's reasonable explanation of the prisoners, it made perfect sense to them. But when the lid comes off... they both turn a sickly colored green and Percival covers his mouth quickly.
And then Anachain tells them she had to convince the half-orc is wasn't lunch.
Percival runs around to the back and you can all hear him lose his breakfast. Loudly.
Arthur has a bit more control, but puts his hand to his mouth to probably both contain what is inside and stop the smell from the outside. He mumbles, "Be right back" and disappears inside the Keep.
A few moments later you hear the Mayor approaching, "He didn't really bring the heads.." and she abruptly halts at the door as the smell hits her. "Oh he did." She takes a moment to collect herself, notices the captors and what appears to be a straggler of a halfling as well. She then looks to Togar as he was the one brokering the deal with her earlier.
"So, all of the bandits have been dispatched I see? The road is open for safe travel again?"
“Indeed it is. This is proof that we *ahem* managed your problem, “head on.” Ahuh. Ahuh. *cough, gag,spit* So the road is clear, all has been handled, we are here to report and see about this reward you promised, these powerful magical items that you aforementioned. You can do what you wish with the heads. Spikes might be good. As a reminder. So that people know you aren't messing around. Up to you.” Togar crosses his arms and brushes some imaginary dust off his shoulders and vest.
Kulloda roars with laughter when Percival runs off to be sick.
"Ha. Guard get sick from heads," Kulloda says, enjoying the scene immensely. "Guard will get sick again when have to move heads."
He stops laughing when the mayor arrives, but still smiles broadly.
Kulloda pulls out one random head to show the mayor as she talks with Togar. He then sticks it on the end of his glaive to illustrate what Togar is describing.
The Mayor crosses her arms as she listens to Togar, a slight frown appearing on her already dour face. She glances at Kulloda as he pulls a head out of the barrel and takes a step back as the half-orc proceeds to demonstrate what Togar is referring to.
"Yes, I see, spikes. But unfortunately, you seem to have forgotten the details of our agreement Mr. Togar. Yes, you seem to have erradicated the bandits and therefore opened up our trade route to the South. And that I am thankful for and will give you your 20 gold that we agreed upon. As for the magical items that were mentioned, you still have three days to earn those, but that requires opening the trade on the West road and the East route over the bridge. As I don't see any evidence of this, I am assuming this is still on your to-do list?" she drums her fingertips along her other arm as she waits for the answer she is presuming. Like waiting for a toddler to own up to painting on the wall when their fingers and face are clearly evident of the crime.
"The thing about Kulloda," Anachain says when the mayor comes out and is surprised that he brought actual heads, "He can be quite literal. You ask for heads, you get heads. He takes people at their word like that..." But all in all she finds the whole ordeal with the heads quite amusing. She has some sympathy for the guards but only a little - They are a disturbing sight but anyone who has seen actual battle has seen far grosser sights.
"Perhaps the best place for the heads to be planted on spikes would be in the area they harried for coin. A threat to others who would try the same and a reassurance to others that their travel is safer now... If you like your symbolism on the barbaric side, anyway."
Anachain then listens quietly as the topic of compensation is discussed, a frown growing upon her face. "I'm sorry misses madam mayor, I wasn't in on the meeting, as perhaps you will recall. My friends, however, seem to be under the impression the items were for clearing the bandits. And, as previously mentioned, Kulloda is quite literal about things. So... Are you twisting things now, after we have done the work? Or are you saying my companions couldn't comprehend the deal you offered them?"
(It was the later... Somewhere along the way it got forgotten the mayor wanted more than just the one job done for the magic... But Anachain wouldn't let the truth stop her from putting the mayor in a squirmy situation...)
“Look, we took care of your problem, so the trade routes will open! The trade will come! Hmmm, that's catchy, if you build it, it will come! So what exactly are you trading here? What sort of goods do you have?” he straightens his vest subconsciously. “What sort of wares does your little burg trade with neighboring towns?” Togar pauses and looks over at Kulloda, “We’re not the best salesmen, if you take my meaning. We are better at lopping the heads off bandits. We did what you asked and opened the trade route, took out their whole little nest. The rest is up to you! So, where are these magical items? Produce, and hold up your end of the bargain!”
"There was the pixies. We may have already chased them off... But maybe not," Anachain says in a mild attempt to be reasonable. "They had powerful magics though, it is no mean feat for us to return to where we found them and offer ourselves up as tribute on the mere speculation of what you may consider powerful magic items worth the risk. I think, at the very least, we would need to know what we were risking our lives for."
Kulloda puts the head back in the barrel and frowns at the mayor. She's not getting the heads if she doesn't pay for them.
He then points at Togar and nods.
"Maybe no one wants to trade with your town," Kulloda says. Then adds, "Now want pixie heads?"
He muses on that for awhile, getting lost in how they would be able to prove they had done something with the bridge. He was pretty sure they didn't have heads.
"I didn't actually ask for heads...nevermind. Yes, yes quite literal. Too bad you people don't literally listen. Of course I wouldn't twist things. I told them I was planning on using the items to hire people from Taligbar to handle our issues and if you all could do it for me instead, I was willing to part with them now. You all do seem quite capable, disbanding the bandits so quickly and efficiently."
She eyes the two that you brought with, already sizing them up. Turning her attention to Togar, she scowls further. "One trade route is open, one. I do not want our townsfolk to fear traveling, either for them or for visitors here as well. I have two other routes that still have issues as I have told you now several times. We trade all sorts of things, go check out the market if you're that curious."
As he says they are not the best salesmen, she sighs, "You did a third of what I asked, and I was willing to give you the 20 gold for that, but now I'm thinking of holding that back if you're going to consistently tell me you are falling back on our deal."
She turns away from the owlin, getting frustrated with him and back to the woman, "Yes your friends mentioned you ran into pixies. If you must know what the items are, you're going to have to wait. I don't have the catalog with me, one of our elders would know and I would have to confer with them. If you must know, I'll meet you at the Inn in a couple of hours. That suffice?"
And to Kulloda, "No! I don't want anymore heads!"
Kulloda nods and then places the barrel of heads next to the entrance to the town hall.
”If don’t want pixie heads, who give to?” Kulloda asks.