The Blackmire Company: Campaign

Diadochi wakes up feeling much better, his step slightly in beat with the flute, he comes down ((if he saw Lafetha at the inn last night he'd get her)) comes down gets some breakfast, and sits across from the halfling 

"Hello there,  my name is Diadochi. I'm always interested in stories, and you look like you have plenty if your willing to share." 

Abigail heads to the Blood Raven, anticipation growing in her stomach and flooding her brain with the expectation of finally getting a fix.  Walking in the door, she has a grin from ear to ear, never did she think she would actually be happy to be back in this poor excuse for a town. 

"Well, I am alive and finally back with some civilized people. I say we celebrate a little," Abigail announces, "how about we have a round on me, and see where this night takes us!" She leans in to the barkeeper and says, "Oh, and I am definitely going to need a room."

((Abigail spends the night drinking and making merry. While not trying to getting black-out drunk, she is looking to basically stay buzzed all night.  At some point during the night, before too many people head home or to bed, but after several drinks, she attempts to entertain people with accounts of their more amusing or interesting adventures on the mountain - acting it out with flourishes and "voices" for each of her respective teammates. Performance: 22. So long as there are other up, she will keep going - perfectly content to nurse a drink quietly with a couple of townies and watch the embers of the fire slowly die. She is the last to head to bed in any case, and will sleep into the early hours of the afternoon if left to her own.))     

Diadochi's knock on the door and the flute from downstairs is enough to get Abigail reluctantly out of bed. She takes note of the halfling, but decides she had best order some breakfast if she wants to function ((if there is a coffee or strong tea substitute for hangovers, she will order that as well)).

She will then rejoin the Diadochi over at the halfling. Abigail will try to size him up regarding if he is a local, just passing through, or perhaps here on some sort of quest of his own. If he is already in conversation with Diadochi, this will also include trying to see if he speaking truthfully. No one this chipper in the morning can be trusted - as a general rule. Insight: 22  If she generally feels like he is being honest and is not on a similar quest as our own, she will warm to him. 

Yaalin wakes late, stretching forth from her shell and scratching luxuriating in a full nights rest without fear for once.  In standing she finds the Warhammer by her side running her hand over its warn surface she smiles hefting it and looking around for who would have left it there.

Taking a few practice swings as she looks for the others she notices only Sim near the camp and comes to the conclusion that he must be responsible but as he did not wake her she lets his privacy remain intact.

Asking a few questions around camp and nearby locals she determines that several members of her party can be found at the inn. She makes her way there though begins to plan her interrogation of the Mayor and Lady Orta.

((Aka she is joining them at the blood raven and will react to what conversation she hears as she enters))

Sim decides to approach the other members of the wagon train before moving on to the village. Starting at Mr Jacobsen and his children. “Are you well? And the children?”

Yaalin sets off on the 20 minute walk to town.

"I do have quite a few tales!" the halfling begins.  His eyes light up at the idea of sharing some of what he's been doing.  He sounds like some from Viyanta; part of Ethuria that's more towards the mountains.  In it, one of the Grand Universities.  A region that Diadochi would know rather well due to it being the closest large city to Unity.  

His hands reach into his sack, pulling out a few of the scrolls.  His hands undoing a few of the caps, rolling them out.  Hurried sketches of different creatures from the mountains.  Hn'ti. Goblins. White-hawks. A pile of what seem to be giant bones, from other little details he has scattered about.  Some plants.  "I'm Mr. Weatherbee.  Salsy Weatherbee.  I'm with the Polaris Project out of Viyanta.  Conducting research on what's in the Farlands.  Been here about a year now.  What brings a Loxodon out this way?"  Once Abigail sits down, he turns rather excitedly.  "Well!  It seems another has decided to join us!"

Abigail - the halfling is difficult to read.  Bouncing from subject to pulling out papers, to your arrival, to a question. 

Mr. Jacobsen shakes Sim's hand with a firm nod.  "Good to see you stranger.  I've been well.  The boy's been well.  Cass...." he says with a bit of a sigh.  "Well, I think she's caught some kind of illess.  She found some injured animal out there in the mountain. Was bringin' it food and water.  Told her not too.  Thing seemed to have bit her.  Nothin' too bad.  But since then she's been cold a lot.  Can't help but think she's comin down with something.  Whatever it is has the horses spooked.  So Ironsides been watchin the wilderness and making sure nothing creeps up.  Been good so far."

A smile comes across Diadochi's face, "did you say Viyanta? I've had several relatives attend University there, they all said it's a wonderful place." There is a pause as Diadochi stares into space.  He shakes his head suddenly, bringing back to the present "hopefully, I'll get to go there one day." 

Diadochi looks at the sketches, "these are quite good, we've seen a lot of these while we were out on our own expedition." He points to the pile of giant bones "haven't run into these, though. Where did you find them?"  

To the question of why he is so far out Diadochi pauses for maybe a second too long "all of my family members have incredible stories, I'm out here so I can bring them back some stories of my own, ones I can be proud of... But tell me more about this Polaris Project, I  probably don't need to tell you about the Loxodonian love for expeditions maybe I've heard of it." history 3 . "Ah yes this is my compatriot, Abigail, she's... Well we got off on the wrong foot but I've learned to value her skills and opinions. Also I believe Lafetha, she's great, you'll like her, is around here somewhere. Our other companions are no doubt preparing us for the next chapter of our adventure."  

insight 6

Diadochi, you don't recall hearing anything specific to the Polaris Project.  But overall Mr. Weatherbee seems pleasant enough.  If a little sporadic.

"Ah. Yes! We're an idea.  That perhaps the Farlands can support thriving communities and hold untold new resources.  Granted, in my time here, I've yet to see anything showing that it could support civilization.  Expand out the reaches of the Iron Queen to touch the forgotten children who inhabit these lands.  Not to say that there isn't life out here right now.  Clearly," he gestures around the bar.  "But I do not believe we could turn this into a sizeable population that could build a mine.  The soil is just all wrong."  He rolls up a few of the scrolls and puts them back into his bags.  "This one?" he motions to the pile of bones.  "Found that one early on in my travels along these mountains.  About a month.. north, north west.  Came across this out in the open."  

"I haven't made it anywhere quite so high.  Staying around the middle bands as much as possible.  You see, while I know how to shoot and can hold a sword... I'm a scholar. Not a soldier.  Makes this a very slow travel with so much danger. It certainly does make one feel alive though."  He slaps his own knee, clearly amused in being able to talk to people from the Kingdoms.  "So tell me. What brings you here? Beyond the rest before your own adventure."

Sim nods as he listens to Mr. Jacobsen. Thinking over different creatures both intelligent and not that may have caused such a reaction due to a bite. “I’d like to see the girl if I may. Inspect her wound see if I can assist.”

once he gets to her Sim will take time to check out the bite. 

nature 10 to see if it is an animal he’s familiar with. 

medicine 5 to see if it is healing normally 

arcana 20 to see if there is any type of magic involved and if I recognize it. 

Lafetha studies the scrolls to see if she if she know any information on them. History 13

"We are here on a job for the Blackmire Company." Abigail says flatly. "Someone with a lot of money heard a tall tale and wanted to send some expendables up here to see if it was true. Cannot say that I enjoy being an expendable but," she picks up her morning brew, "at least it keeps food and drink in my belly while I live."

"You seem to know your way around that flute. If you have a moment and at your convenience, or course, I would love to see how it is played. I knew a woman once who could play pretty well, and it has been a while since I have hear a flute played."

"We are here on a job for the Blackmire Company." Abigail says flatly. "Someone with a lot of money heard a tall tale and wanted to send some expendables up here to see if it was true. Cannot say that I enjoy being an expendable but," she picks up her morning brew, "at least it keeps food and drink in my belly while I live."

"You seem to know your way around that flute. If you have a moment and at your convenience, or course, I would love to see how it is played. I knew a woman once who could play pretty well, and it has been a while since I have hear a flute played."

Yaalin walking cheerily along the road to town stopping occasionally to exchange pleasantries with the local population.  She heads to the statue of jeshur in the center of town a turtle frown pulling at the edge of  mouth.

Investigation to see if the statue has changed at all 17

"You my, friend I guess, are a tricky one.  I hope to understand you someday" reaching up she brushes the robes of the figure reverently.

She then finishes her walk and head for the inn, where she will nod to her companions and attempt to order a salad at the bar.

"Blackmire?" the halfling says with a bit of surprise.  "Actually. That makes a lot of sense."  He takes out his flute, whipping it around a few times before gingerly showing it to Abigail.  It's a faint blueish tint to the metal with gold inlay and mother of pearl keys. Truly a master craft.  It's been fitted for more of a halflings hand, or a human child, but still maintaining the same pitch and tone of a actual flute.  He spends a good ten minutes showing off the flute. Features. Talking about how it was made by a master craftsman who lived in a small town in the mountain range between Ethuria and Unity.  "Not like mountains here, you know.  They're tall and get snowy, but not as high peaks. More forests. Slopes. Something that's relaxing to hike and not trying to kill you the entire time."

Lafetha, you've heard rumors of the Polaris Project.  It all checks out what the halfling is saying; researchers who go out and travel. Find new species. Study plants and animals. 

 Yaalin, the statue doesn't appear to have changed at all.  The statue still weathered; faceless, seemingly featureless.  Once you reach the Inn, you see Abigail and a halfling discussing a flute.  While Lafetha and Diadochi sit at the same table.

Sim, you and Mr. Jacobsen talk for a bit longer.  It takes awhile to convince his daughter to let you see the bite though.  Children can be stubborn that way.

When you do, there is a clear sign of teeth marks.  A light bite of some kind of large creature.  It's hard see exactly what; but any of the animals you've seen on the mountain are capable of leaving some kind of wound like that.  The wound is healing nicely, but still there's a mild fever and she's constantly feeling cold.  Some kind of disease is working it's way through her.  That, or a possible slew of curses.  But without knowing exactly what bit her, it could be anything from rabies to the rumors you've heard of vampirism.

“Cass, you have been so brave to go out to help the hurt creature and I’m sure them biting you was an accident. I’d like to help it too. Can you describe for me the kind of creature that bit you? What does it look like? Could it talk? If it is hurt and scared it could hurt other people on accident. Maybe you can tell me where it is so we can find it and help it.”

persuasion 11

While Abigail is talking to Me. Weatherbee about his flute, Lafetha turns to Diadochi -- " He seems like someone we can trust since what he was saying about the Polaris Project is also what I have heard. Maybe he knows something about the silver apple we are in search of? We should still keep caution   as we do not want to get bamboozled again."

She looks back over at Abigail and Mr. Weatherbee examining the flute still trying to read the new comrade.insight 13

Lafetha, you watch the interaction between Abigail and Weatherbee.  There's something you can't put your finger on, but Mr. Weatherbee seems too swift with answers, too smooth.  He's not telling lies.  But something is rubbing you the wrong way.

Yaalin: The owner of the Inn seems a little surprised that anyone would order something as simple as a salad.  He's able to mix up a bit of a bread pudding with some fruits that are pleasing, with a bit of a side of some pickled greens.  But nothing very fresh in the leaf department.

Diadochi chuckles "My dear girl, We do not get bamboozled. Certainly not in resent memory. I trust everyone, Sim distrusts everyone, and between the two of us, we are never wrong.  Although sim isn't here, so I guess you will be playing the part of Sim for this. Unless you want to play me and I'll be Sim."

Diadochi leans in conspiratorially "I've got a pretty good Sim Impression, if I say so myself." He uses his hand to make the rough shape of a nose while his arm overs the rest of his trunk "Look! Tracks!... I found us a whole dear for us to eat!.. Let me misquote your Great Grandfather Tylemon to justify warcrimes and then tell Yaalin doing those warcrimes are wrong a week later..."

Diadochi takes his hand form his face "I"m still working on that last bit... Any rate I suspect our friend here is like everyone else we meet. Thinks they are in the right, and whatever measures they use are justified. But so far he seems on the up and up. He's description does seem eerily similar to someone Alul mentioned was looking for the apple, personally I'd like more of use around to gauge his reaction when we bring it up." 

Diadochi waves to Yaalin to sit down next to them "Yaalin, dear girl, So glad assassins didn't slay you in the night, that would have tarnished my otherwise spotless record," Diadochi winks "You'll have to forgive me, last night I needed a bit of a 'mental health day' I was having a crisis of faith with the time space continuum. Sort of like Constable Aunt Petra kept reliving the same day until she discovered who kept murdering her."

Quote from Saarkin >>

“Cass, you have been so brave to go out to help the hurt creature and I’m sure them biting you was an accident. I’d like to help it too. Can you describe for me the kind of creature that bit you? What does it look like? Could it talk? If it is hurt and scared it could hurt other people on accident. Maybe you can tell me where it is so we can find it and help it.”

persuasion 11

 Cass is rather reluctant to say anything.  Pressing her lips together as she looks over at Sim.  "It was just some big cat. It had a gash.  I gave it some food and some water.  Would go out and play with it.  One time it just nipped me before running away.  It hurt.  A lot," she says as she rubbed the bite marks a bit.  "Just some dumb big cat."

“Thank you Cass. I appreciate you talking to me.”  Taking Mr. Jacobsen aside he says “I’m not sure but it looks like she is healing well but there is something I can’t put my finger on. Keep an eye on her and I will see if I can figure it out.”

Sim then heads into town to find his friends certain that Alul is in the area and responsible for the bite. He needs to tip them off.