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Trader's Corner

Evening Afloat (DM Cayzle)
Wednesday October 6th, 2004 1:47:50 PM

As the boat continues downriver, intoxicating card games are played, tunes are composed, river chariots are refined, and the landscape scrolls past. The land seems to be turning drier and scragglier, but the atmosphere aboard the vessel is is still lush with humor and goodwill.

Sunset approaches, and one crewman -- an older gent with a bald pate called Paps -- brings by cold cuts of sheep, coarse bread, and more ale -- weaker or stronger, as desired.

It gets dark, and those who wish to sleep sack out on deck. There are lots of old sacks and hay to rest on. The crew settles in to work or rest in the dim. Lanterns fore and aft dispel some of the dark.

The boat docks near midnight. The captain and his crew wake and begin unloading. he offers you the choice of sleeping on board until morning or leaving whenever you like before that. He does caution you that Trader's Corner can be rough this far past sunset.

And DID you bring the pony and wagon?

Kendry
Wednesday October 6th, 2004 7:42:08 PM
[In the absence of Nalfein telling Kendry to bring the pony and wagon, we left it behind. Nalf can overrule me on this. Shale brought Valor.]

"What time does the boat head back upstream?" Kendry asks the captain.

Whether to sleep aboard, or head ashore, Kendry waits to hear what his friends say first on this matter.

Selithe
Wednesday October 6th, 2004 10:08:29 PM
Selithe will try staying well up into the night, getting info from Slag if she doesn't get to drunk and then calls it a night or passes out, either way.

When the boat docks Selithe looks to the others and shakes her head and waves her hands, "No no no, I don't want to be in town with the tall ones till morning atleast. They won't see us and step on us probably if we go in during night." Selithe looks to everyone before finding a nice place to take a nap, looking at her brothers and everyone, "Either way I'm getting some sleep."

Shale d20+6=24
Wednesday October 6th, 2004 10:48:58 PM
Shale ushers Valor out of the ship after they reach shore and waits to learn what time they should return. (Handle Animal 24)

"Seems to me we should go the place for pickup now and not wait until dawn, we are kind of in a race if I recall."

Shale takes his hat off and places it in a pocket of his quiver. In the evening air he pulls his hood up to conceal his face some and hops up on Valor.

"I'm ready to get this job done."

Duncan
Thursday October 7th, 2004 10:56:32 AM
The games of chance, though exciting at times, left Duncan quite a bit sleepy. Sitting for hours left him ready to nod off, and the fair Selithe seemed to have the same idea.
With the darkness of night all around, Duncan figured that rest on the barge would be the best thing--it would be harder for night creeps to lay ambush while surrounded by water.
"I stay, help better if rested," Duncan signs to Polly as he tries to find a soft(er) sack to curl up next to.

Daybreak in Traders Post (DM Cayzle)
Thursday October 7th, 2004 1:28:07 PM

[DM Ruling: For want of a better plan, the donkey and cart were left behind under Willoughby's care. That brings the company's number to seven: Kendry, Selithe, Nalfein, Polly, Duncan, Shale, and Mayzie.]

When the boat docks, Kendry is indecisive about departing; Selithe and Duncan want to sleep; Shale feels alert; and Polly, Nalfein, and Mayzie don't even wake up at all.

In the morning, the captain tells the party that he likes to unload right away, to lighten the load in case of emergency, but now he's going to let the crew relax. He has no schedule for a return trip -- he knows that within a few days, he'll get enough business to shove back for the return voyage.

You think over what you know and recall a few details. You've been given 1,500 gold to buy the special beer. If you spend les than 1,500, you get to keep the difference.

Calfast said, "Find a dealer there in the pub named "Brock." He's a bit rough around the edges, but good at heart. Beware trolls and ogres. Plus there's some ruffians around there you don't want any part of. If you have trouble find a good cleric. Easy to spot."

Calfast told you that the word of contact is "Are you a big stupid half-orc?"

You are currently at the Dock. You see two warehouses, a shop catering to boatwrights, and a lopsided booth where a half-orc with cask and a few mugs seems to be selling grog.

Off a ways and up a hill there are a few other buildings. What do you do?

Selithe
Thursday October 7th, 2004 6:48:47 PM
Selithe looks to the others and down the road, frowning abit as she looks over the place, "You think the password and that orc have something in common? I don't want to call him that, thats for sure."

Selithe frowns in wonder and looks to her brothers, "Oh well, you two decide and I'll follow. I don't mind a friendly gamble but this is most deffinetly different." Selithe is also clearing looking around in shock at the place and interest, trying to hide it though as she tries to keep her act of ohhh ho hum up.

Shale
Thursday October 7th, 2004 10:25:49 PM
Shale resolved to get to the special beer without wasting anymore time ( and also feeling a little like puffing up since their are so many biggens around ) continues his opinion,

"I say we can't let them back us down at any cost. My dad used to say that halflings are the most dangerous creatures in the Wold. We are quick of wit and stout of heart, but more importantly we are underestimated. I say we take this opportunity to move quick, secure the beer and then hatch a plan for taking it back in the morning."

He pulls back his hood suddenly and puts his hand on the handle of his halfling longsword, "I say we have our objective and we let nothing stand between us and our beer. Lets show this rotten town what halflings are really made of!!"

Shale seems somewhere between twitchy and excited (closer to twitchy probably), as he jumps up on Valor and straps his shield onto his arm.

Kendry
Friday October 8th, 2004 4:54:31 AM
"Hello, sir. Could you sell me a half pint of grog to see me on the way to the pub?" he asks, holding out a cup he brought from the cooking things. "Which way is the pub?" He waits to see what the half orc vendor charges for the grog. If it's a copper or up to a silver or two, he'll pay it, and take a quick taste of the grog, to evaluate its quality.

Should the vendor indicate the way to the pub, Kendry suggests they head that direction.

Grog (DM Cayzle)
Friday October 8th, 2004 2:21:44 PM
The half orc at the shack is willing to sell Kendry a mugful for a copper. It's weak and nasty.

The seller is young, and he looks over the party with a sharp eye.

"Sure, it's a copper a mug." He looks at what the group carries and rides appraisingly. "But you probably won't like it. The usual customers I get for this swill are river workers and porters. I would never drink it."

You see he has an open book next to him on the counter, set well away from the cask and mugs.

"The pub is probably where you want to go. Not much of anywhere else to go around this rat hole. It's right there," he says, pointing at a building up the hill.

Kendry
Friday October 8th, 2004 3:10:17 PM
Kendry takes a medium-sized drink of the grog, then grimaces, taking a quick glance at the open book through squinting eyes. After puckering his lips for a moment, he says, "Hmm, you're right, mister. This might be all right for watering weeds. Appreciate your honesty," he says with a weak smile.

"Say, you know a fellow by the name of Rock? Bock? Something like that," he asks the appraising young half orc.

Shale
Friday October 8th, 2004 10:15:15 PM
Seeing the dismal response, Shale lowers his sword and leads Valor over to the entrance at the pub. Finding a good place to tie Valor for a moment (in plane site of the others), Shale gives it a loose knot. Petting the horse reassuringly he throws his shield over his shoulder strides on into the pub.

Mayzie
Saturday October 9th, 2004 3:35:27 AM
Mayzie will acompany Kendry to give him moral support.

'Im worried about this password too' she will tell him on the way. 'Maybe someone played a trick on our patron to make sure he didnt get the beer, and I'd not want to see you dangling by the leg upside down while a half orc shakes you.'

Mayzie adds

'I do have an idea though. You can always speak the password to him without insulting him. I dont know, like why not say to him'

'you seem to know what youre talking about, youre not the kind of person someone would say 'are you a big stupid half orc to'

Nalfein
Saturday October 9th, 2004 10:02:17 AM
Nalfein is still trying to rub the sleep from his eyes. The ride down river was far too relaxing and now his poor stiff joints just don't want to move.
Once he does get moving however he tries to finda dock master to see if they know where this big stipid half orc might be hiding.

Selithe
Sunday October 10th, 2004 2:02:26 AM
Selithe nods at Mayzie's comments and speaks up also on the password bit, "If it's the password without a doubt then fine but I really don't want to become half orc paste or something over saying that. We had better approach this carefully brothers and friends."

Selithe looks abit worried bit still looks forward expectantly. She looks at the half-orc who Kendry got a drink of grog from and chuckles, "I would ask for a drink but I do not want to kill my poor taste buds good sir. My tastes I'm afraid are abit more refined."

Polly
Sunday October 10th, 2004 11:26:37 PM
Polly grins at the expression on Kendry's face, and thinking of the quality drink Brock supposedly has waiting for them, comments, "And you might be needing them soon for business, hey, Selithe?"

She hurries up the hill to catch up with Shale as soon as the half-orc points out the pub, rather than waiting to find out if he recognize's their contact's name.

The Pub at Traders Post (DM Cayzle) d20+3=5 [Kendry's search roll to check out the book] d20+3=7 [Nalfein's gather info check at the dock]
Monday October 11th, 2004 9:50:04 AM
Kendry engages the young half-orc in conversation and peeks at his book -- but is squinting too much to see what it is about. Nalfein looks for the Dockmaster, but finds no one aside from a few shiphands who don't give him the time of day. [Sorry, friends -- poor rolls!]

But the half-orc does say to Kendry, "Sure, that's my Unca Brock. He runs the pub. My name is Samual, by the way."

When Selithe talks to Samual, he tries to answer, "Um, oh no, this is, uh, you know. Bad to ..." He blushes, and Selithe gets the idea he doesn't talk to girls much.

But Samual is not on the spot for long, as the group thanks him and heads up the hill, Shale and Polly in the lead.

The area is neither wooded not cultivated, like the Crescent back home, but seems to be mostly dry grasses, bramble, and scraggly trees. Things are more lush by the river, less so on the hills.

Beyond the dock, Traders Post doesn't seem like much -- a half-dozen buildings total, and it would be a compliment to actually call half of those ramshackle structures "buildings." One is a mercantile, one seems to be a residence (with chickens running loose all around it), and one is the pub. Two children are digging in the dirt at the side of the house.

The pub is one of the more solid structures -- but it too seems rickety, like a strong storm would knock it over. A big sign of a mug of ale leaves no doubt that this is the place. It has two stories, shutters on the lower floor, and windows in the upper story. The group walks up the dirt road on the hill, and Shale ties off Valor at the hitching post. The group enters the pub.

At this time of day, at least -- early in the morning -- the place is pretty empty. The smell of frying eggs fills the air, reminding the halflings that they have had neither first nor second breakfast yet today. Three humans are at the bar eating eggs. A male half-orc is sweeping around some tables. A female half-orc is behind the bar at some kind of grill, cooking. The place is dim, with light mostly coming through the open door and through shutters.

Kendry
Monday October 11th, 2004 3:42:58 PM
As Kendry enters the pub in the midst of his friends, he looks about.

After a moment, he approaches the sweeper, and says, "Excuse me, sir, but I'm looking for Samual's uncle. Are you Mister Brock, or is that someone else? I'm Kendry, by the way."

Polly
Monday October 11th, 2004 6:06:15 PM
Polly heads straight for the bar, eager to fill her belly, and is dismayed to find how very high it is, the nearest human customer looming high overhead. She climbs up onto a seat so that she can see the cook at the grill, and smiles her most charming smile. "Good morning, madam. Will you kindly cook up eggs for seven?" If there's any sign of baking on the air, she'll enquire after toast or muffins.

Duncan
Monday October 11th, 2004 8:48:45 PM
There are two things that Duncan likes most of all about mornings: the feel of wet grass between his toes and freshly cooked eggs. He had been following closely behind Polly up to the pub when the smell of eggs grabbed him by the nostrils, and felt like his feet left the ground and he was floating in the direction of the pub. Having eaten only the trail rations last night thus far, his more hobbity sensibilities returned, and now he felt he could eat a chicken dry of its eggs.
Needless to say, Duncan stuck to Polly, trusting her to find the source of such delicious ware.

Selithe
Monday October 11th, 2004 11:46:22 PM
Selithe winks to Polly and grins, "Gambling is my life. Got to hold the alcohol to keep gambling and the proper look is everything, a drinker and smoker people will think would loose her senses quicker with the drink."

Selithe walks into the tavern with the others and takes in a big smell of the air before walking to the bar with the others, "My favorite smell in the whole Wold. Good food and a tavern to gamble in." Selithe looks to the seat problem and sighs wondering why people never make these more for halflings and does her best to climb up into a seat.

Unable to avoid the chance she ruffles Duncan's hair when she gets up onto the seat and while Duncan's mind is on food and grins when he looks at her. Deciding to pick on poor Duncan more she looks over at Polly, "Didn't you have a neat story to tell me about when Duncan was younger?" Selithe grins since she figures maybe Polly will join in on her joke and winks to Duncan so he knows afterwards that she isn't really being mean.

When Mayzie enters Selithe waves her over also and will offer her a hand to help her onto the seat next to her, "Interestng boat ride huh?" Selithe glances to the half-orc fixing the food and speaks up also, "uhhh miss, I was wondering what you served to drink? I hear that elves have this wonderful really light wine that has hardly any alchol in it...can me and my friend here get a glass if you have that please?" Selithe looks to Mayzie now for a moment and pulls out her diary, opening it to a fresh page just past her notes from Slag, "Hey Mayzie, can you tell me some of the elves you met and such please? I don't know if I have anything I can tell you about but I'm really trying to get some better notes on things, mainly other races and their ways."

Why Selithe is writing all this info down is hard to tell, maybe for conversation during her gambling, personal knowledge or something else.

Meet Brock! (DM Cayzle)
Tuesday October 12th, 2004 9:35:10 AM

Kendry approaches the half-orc, who answers, "Yeah, I'm Brock! What's it to ya? Got a problem with Sam?"

The woman behind the counter is happy at the business. "That's a silver each, and it comes with fresh bread and ale," she tells Polly. "We got ale and we got cider. The cider's an extra silver," she tells Selithe. "No fancy wine."

Nalfein
Tuesday October 12th, 2004 3:32:31 PM
"Are you a stupid half orc?" Nalfein says with a wink, "Of course we have a problem with Sam. He just fed my brother here the worst ale in the wold!"

Polly
Tuesday October 12th, 2004 7:58:39 PM
"That sounds great, madam," Polly tells the grill cook. "I think the ale will do for most of us." Once the others have selected their drink, Polly pays the total price out of her belt pouch. She nods politely to the human nearest her and hops down from her perch to pace while she waits, leaving the innkeeper to her more business-minded cousins.

"Oh, I don't know, Selithe. There are so very many neat stories about Duncan that I can't recall which I meant to tell. Was it the one about the empty grain sack? The time he tried to help Feather with the nails? The hop-toad race?" As she names each event, she glances sidelong at her friend to gage his reaction.

Selithe
Tuesday October 12th, 2004 8:43:57 PM
Selithe grins and nods as she listens to Polly and then turns his gaze to the half-orc tender for a moment the smile and nod, "thats okay ma'am, I wasn't sure if you had that or not. I'll take a cider please."

Selithe winks to Polly as she speaks to her friend, "hmmm the hop toad race sounds interesting."

Selithe takes just a moment to speak to the half-orc lady again though, "I really hope I'm not bothering you with my questions but one last thing ma'am. You get very many card games going in here? I was thinking if I was here later that maybe I could find a nice game here. I'm not overly known around but I'm a gambler by trade." Selithe grins as she does her best to look innocent and charming, "That reminds me, I simply have to come up with a neat gambler name for myself sometime....who to ask for help....Kendry and Nalfein don't like me gambling so not them."

Kendry
Wednesday October 13th, 2004 2:13:42 AM
"Which surprised us, big fellow, as we heard you've got some of the best stuff around," Kendry follows his brother's words. Not much time to do as Mayzie suggested...

Should Brock prove violent, Kendry will interpose himself between Nalfein and the half orc.

Mayzie
Wednesday October 13th, 2004 6:30:21 AM
(Sorry about the lack of posts all. I have workmen everywhere at the moment getting the house ready for sale, and it is hard to get a chance to post, the computer not always being set up as they have to move it now and then)

Mayzie will take a seat next to Selithe, poping a berry into her mouth rather than eat the fattening things on offer.

'The elves do have drinks like that. They also have drinks that taste as if they have no alcohol in them but have a good deal, or have something that has something of the same effect, but doesnt make you feel bad when you awake in the morning. It is hard to get good elven wine outside elven cities though.

As to which elves I know... well, a good many really. My mentor, a deeply kind man who has been a father to me all my life, but a very serious one who has not yet recovered from the loss of his true daughter - for someone who lives as long as an elf, the loss is still very fresh. He is also a very busy man and I see him far less than I would like.

Then I have made many some friends amongst the younger elves. Landrina, who loves to dance all day and has tried with limited success to teach me, Aethel who who wants to be the finest bowman in the world, and who is upset when I can hit a row of wooden bowls better with my sling than he can with his bow (Mayzie giggle), Rennet Who shares my taste in fine dresses and has helped to adjust some to fit me.

Then there is Telmor, a handsome very young elf, who had a crush on me (Mayzie blushes) until he understood I wasn't an elf. He is still a child, and I have grown past him in maturity but he has grown past me in height. Elves are very good at poking gentle fun and the others will never let us forget.

Then there are my fathers friends and aquintaces. Some very douer and serious druids who seem to spend all their time thinking the world will come to an end if they are not always about some mysterious business.

There are the important elven families who between them rule the city. I have been at banquets and feasts with them. They accept my adoption by my patron, and have been kind to me, even though I am not an elf. They seem to be fond of hobbits, though I think if I had been a hman they would not have been so welcoming. They did offer to let me remain in the city all the time but my mentor felt that would be bad for me, and he is right. By the time I died of old age, I would barely have done anything in my life, having been considered a child through all of it. This way I get a chance to do something with my life. If the people here consider us young, the elves would consider barely more than toddlers.'

Mayzie
Wednesday October 13th, 2004 8:01:04 AM
Mayzie ponders a moment and smiles to Selithe 'Maybe you should call yourself Flatpurse' It might make your opponents underestimate you, and they wont know your name refers to their own purse till it is too late'

Brock takes offense (DM Cayzle) d20+8=26 d3+3=4
Wednesday October 13th, 2004 8:01:33 AM
Mayzie, Selithe, and Polly enjoy conversation while their eggs cook; Duncan listens in. Shale is still standing in the door. Nalfein and Kendry talk with Brock.

Nalfein says to Brock, "Are you a stupid half orc?", winks, and complains -- and Brock drops his broomstick in shock. He says, "Are you a dead midget? I think you are!" Then he hauls off and punches Nalfein! [Hits AC26] The blow is solid, inflicting 4 hp of nonlethal damage. "Get out!" Brock shouts.

[We're in combat, folks -- or we could be, anyway -- so go round by round. Nalfein, Kendry, and Brock are 20 feet from the folks at the bar, and 30 feet from Shale. Brock is AC12 in padded armor.]

Selithe
Wednesday October 13th, 2004 3:32:09 PM
Selithe frowns when she notices her broter get hit Selithe quickly jumps to the floor from her stool and runs across the tavern to him.

When Selithe gets within a closer distance she looks to the half-orc and speaks clearly to him, "What are you a big stupid half-orc?" Selithe has left her staff at the bar and is otherwise unarmed atleast looking.

Polly
Wednesday October 13th, 2004 10:07:01 PM
"Oh, bother," Polly says as she drops of her seat with a longing glance toward the grill. She pulls the sap from her belt as she follows Selithe, though she circles wide around the last table to put the big innkeeper between herself and Nalfein.

"Mr. Brock, sir, are you sure you want to be beating up my cousin? I'm sure he was only telling you what Calfast Tunnelly asked him to say."

Shale
Wednesday October 13th, 2004 10:35:33 PM
Pulling his sap and shield, Shale moves into melee range but holdes his attack waiting to see what the big half orc is going to do.

Kendry d20=20
Thursday October 14th, 2004 1:44:36 AM
Kendry (as stated before) moves to interpose himself between Brock and Nalfein. "Wait, Mister Brock, wait. Like Polly said, that's what he said we should say to you, like a test, you know. Please don't hit my brother any more. Besides, Samual was right honest with us." He waves his hands in front of him as a signal to stop the fight. "And we'd like to pay you some gold." [Rolled a d20 for diplomacy, need to add +4, for 24.]

"Oh! Why didn't you say so!" (DM Cayzle)
Thursday October 14th, 2004 8:40:15 AM
"Am I a BIG stupid half orc? Calfast? Gold?" The combined efforts of Selithe, Polly, and Kendry stop the half-orc as he seems about to swing again.

"Well! That's a different kettle of hops, for sure! Why didn't you say so?" Brock calms down and chuckles.

He extends a hand to Nalfein, who is still speechless with his wind knocked out of him. "Come on, little fellow, no hard feelings! What a misunderstanding!"

"Here, why don't we all sit down and have a talk." He calls out to the woman, "Markie, bring those eggs on over here, and a plate for me, too, sweetie!"

"So you come from the Crescent, do ya? No surprise there! How's Calfast doing? Did he run for mayor after all?" Brock seems more friendly, now.

Kendry
Thursday October 14th, 2004 11:11:06 AM
Kendry wipes his forehead in relief. "You have one of those berries left, Nalf? Might be good to eat one, now. If not, then here," he offers one of his two remaining goodberries.

As the group takes Brock up on his offer, Kendry hops up on to a seat, dropping his knapsack at his feet. "Yep, we do. And yep, he is running for Burgomeister. We like his ideas about adventurers, and how the good ones can help Crescent Valley. Although Marigold Pipewood Pastna and Tomas Pennyweight Breedbottom both have good ideas about burgomeistering, too. How did you and Calfast meet, anyhow, mister Brock? Did you save his life, or somethin'?"

Selithe
Thursday October 14th, 2004 8:58:38 PM
Selithe hopes up on a chair and sits, smiling as she looks to Brock, "Thank you Brock and I'm sure Nalfein will understand it was just a misunderstanding. I like to know the story behind you and Calfast though too."

Selithe smiles and has her diary clutched tightly in her hands like it is a prized posession, her wizard book being her actual 1st with her cards being her 2nd.

Shale
Thursday October 14th, 2004 9:28:22 PM
Shale puts his sap away and with a nudge whispers to Kendry, "Don't forget that we're here for the beer. I don't want to spend any longer than I have to around these parts."

Shale makes a casual observation of the room.

Duncan
Thursday October 14th, 2004 10:38:31 PM
Halflings are fairly small people, and Duncan didn't think it were possible for the gods to make them any smaller. But as Polly began to rattle off some of his most embarrasing episodes he could feel himself shrinking, shrinking....
Face red in embarrassment, Duncan signalled to Polly his intention to put her head under his arm and give her some knuckle-noogies. The sound of flesh being smacked, though, caused reflexes in Duncan to snap to attention, promptly sending him teetering off the high stool he was seated on and onto his rump on the floor.
By the time he untangled himself from clothes, staff and stool legs and got to his feet, the altercation was over. Seems as though Kendry and Nalfie found their half-orc, the hard way.

Polly
Friday October 15th, 2004 12:10:53 AM
"Well, I'm glad we cleared that up. Is Calfast usually given to using rude codes like that?

Polly sits well around the table from Duncan, in case he hasn't been sufficiently distracted from his noogie plan. "Are you okay, Nalfein? We could dunk you in the river later, to keep the bruising down."

Mayzie
Friday October 15th, 2004 3:06:12 AM
Mayzie is shocked at the half orcs immediater reaction to violence. By the time she has managed to untangle her sling from her belt, the fight is over.

She will wander over and sit with the others, but sits well away from the half orc, looking disctinctly uncomfortable near him.

'Are you all right?' She asks Nalfein. 'I can heal you if you are hurt.'

Childhood Friends (DM Cayzle)
Friday October 15th, 2004 11:45:24 AM
Brock laughs when Kendry asks if Calfast saved his life. "Ha! Nothing so dramatic as that! Calfast and me were kids together, and one time he called me "A big stupid half orc." I was a short little guy at the time, maybe age 9, and it puffed me up plenty to be called 'big.' I had to punch him for calling me stupid, though."

"But I'm happy to do him favors when I can, and he helps me too. He wouldn't have sent you if he didn't have a reason. So what's up?"

The woman brings over platters of eggs, bread, and mugs of ale and cider.

Shale sees nothing out of the ordinary [Feel free to make Spot checks when you think it might help].

Kendry - Brock and Brew
Friday October 15th, 2004 8:23:25 PM
Kendry chuckles at Brock's story. "You must have lots of good stories about being kids together," he prompts, giving the man opportunity to elaborate should he wish.

Since he asked directly about Calfast's reason for sending them, though, the bard obliges his question. "There is quite a bit of competition for votes. Things are looking favorable for the Non Stop party. And the Steady On party has its faithful adherents, too. Calfast is looking for an edge. One he thinks you may hold for him. A moment ago, you said, 'That's a different kettle of hops, for sure!' Calfast is looking for a different kettle of hops -- or at least the tasty end result of said kettle. He sent us to buy up what he hears is one of the best brews in the region from you. And get it back to him as quick as a wink, before the election parties are over. What do you think, mister Brock? Is it true you have a really good shipment of beer? And are willing to help your old friend? Or are you the brewmaster who did it yourself?"

Shale
Friday October 15th, 2004 9:52:27 PM
Shale whispers quietly to Kendry, "remember to keep the price way down.."

Shale looks to see who else might be up and around.

Polly
Sunday October 17th, 2004 11:27:21 PM
"You sure you don't want some of these eggs, Mayzie? Maybe just one to keep you going?" Polly tucks into her breakfast with gusto, turning an ear to Brock's answers, and an eye to Duncan's whereabouts.

Mayzie
Monday October 18th, 2004 5:50:55 AM
'Thank you Polly, but I'm not hungry anymore. These berries are good enough for me. They are what i usually eat when I'm not visiting the elves. Not as tasty as rumberry pie to be sure, but they can be made with a wave of the hand, and I don't have to wash dishes after eating. Also unlike any other food, i can't ruin them by forgetting I left them in the oven.'

Brewer Brock (DM Cayzle)
Monday October 18th, 2004 9:28:34 AM
Brock listens to Kendry, although he shakes his head when the level of detail gets too high. "I keep my nose out of politics and in my brewing, pretty much. It does an honest merchant no good to play that game."

But when Kendry mentions the beer, the half-orc's attention focusses right on the topic at hand. "Beer! Now that I can talk about. As it turns out, I have three casks of Brock's Delicious Hard Cider brewed up from last year's harvest, and another cask from downriver of Goblin Top Lager. Those would be perfect! The best quality stuff I've got -- and in the volume you need."

Brock narrows his eyes. "But how much were you looking to spend, my friends? This is the best drink in 100 leagues. It don't go cheap!"

Kendry d20+4=24
Monday October 18th, 2004 12:02:04 PM
"Thank you, ma'am," he says as the eggs and such are delivered. "Are you Markie? I'm Kendry, this is my brother Nalfein, my sister Selithe, my cousin Polly, our friend Duncan, cousin Shale, and our new friend and maybe cousin, Mayzie." He takes a few enthusiastic bites of food as he listens to Brock.

"Wow!" exclaims Kendry at hearing of the available beverages. "Now, you wouldn't have any samples of the brews, would you? I wouldn't want to tap the casks we'd be taking to Calfast, but if you have any open of either brew, it'd be an honor to try them out."

Should Brock make a sample available of either (or both) brews, Kendry will happily join his friends in a tasting. He'll limit himself to a swallow or two.

In any event (sample or no), he offers as a prelude, "Well, I'm not much of an expert at buying good brews in any quantity, nor of this high a quality. So please don't be upset if I'm under the price you're aiming to get. And if the price I offer is over what you're aiming for - well, the better for you, right?" He looks around at his friends, gauging their reactions.

"That said, how does 200 a cask for Brock's Delicious Hard Cider, and 150 for the Goblin Top Lager sound? Now there's an additional part of this deal that I'd like to throw in, once I hear from you how that sounds for starters."

Selithe d20+5=21 d20+4=17
Monday October 18th, 2004 12:21:11 PM
Selithe eats some of the food delivered to the table while listening and waiting for Brock's reaction to Kendry's comment or anything else said.

After eating alittle of the food, mainly just enough to fill her, Selithe pulls her deck of cards out and begins shuffling them and trying to pull the aces from the deck after shuffling the deck. (Craft Gamble:21 Profession Gamble:17)She glances up now and then and rather she succeeds in picking out the four aces she speaks up, "Having your beer at the party of Calfast's will also be good advertisment and specially with all the people who will drink it and see how fine the brew is. An with some halflings saying how nice Brock was to them and how good his beer is will surely help also. I'm known alittle around "certain" circles and can pass the word on even more to them and my circle drink for sure."

Duncan
Monday October 18th, 2004 7:36:53 PM
With not much to do but eat while Kendry haggled with Brock, Duncan did just that. The eggs were of a dream come true--he had a mountain of scrambled on his plate, it's golden goodness steaming in the mid-morning air. Each bite was a melt-in-your-mouth flavor bonanza, and if he could Duncan would be making yummy sounds like the droning of bees.
Duncan whetted his whistle with some juice, and he was sure he had no more room in his tummy, at least until second breakfast.

Polly
Monday October 18th, 2004 10:56:25 PM
"Well, the lager sounds promising." Polly pauses with a heel of bread halfway to her mouth. "Are we sure the cider is a good idea? It seems to me that Calfast sent us after beer." Dipping both her head and the bread slightly in the direction of the half-orc, she hastens to add, "Meaning no offense to your brewing skills, sir."

Shale
Monday October 18th, 2004 11:01:12 PM
"I'd have to agree that beer is the only way to go here."

Shale nods heartily to Polly as he is clearly in favor of the beer.

"Just make sure we get enough for the party goers."

Brock's Best Beer (DM Cayzle)
Tuesday October 19th, 2004 9:47:32 AM
"Well," says Brock, "for the prices you are quoting, I think that's the best I can do for you. But if it is beer you are after, and if price is no object, I can sell you Brock's Best Beer! A finer beer you will never taste! Here."

"But fair warning, my good halflings! The price of my Best is very steep indeed! How much did you say you had to spend?"

He goes off and comes back with three mugs -- the lager, the cider, and the beer. He offers tastes from each.

If you roll an Int or Appraise check vs. DC10, then Highlight to display spoiler: { you can tell that the beer is very good.}

If you roll an Int or Appraise check vs. DC15, then Highlight to display spoiler: { this really is the best beer you've ever had. No wonder Calfast is willing to pay so much!}

Mayzie d20+2=5
Tuesday October 19th, 2004 2:05:13 PM
Mayzie will look interested at the beer tasting.

'Im usually one for elven wine, maybe mead, but this beer sounds interesting. If it really is the best, maybe I will like it.'

Mayzie takes one of the sample glasses and slowly sips it.

(rolls 5 on appraise)

'urghhh' making a disgusted face she adds 'Much too bitter for me. Im in no way an expert though. But now at least I know I wont like any beer. If this was the best then I dont ever want to go anywhere near the worst.'

Mayzie will order a mug of sweet mead to get rid of the horrible taste.

Shale d20=3
Tuesday October 19th, 2004 10:47:33 PM
Shale can't really tell much about the beer so he waits and hopes someone else can before he pipes in. (Int check = 3)

Polly d20+1=21 d20+1=6
Wednesday October 20th, 2004 12:58:01 AM
"Calfast is low on funds, with the party and all, but he sent what he could. And we're to have the diffence as a bonus, so you can see we'll be wanting best price."

Polly tries a sip from each mug, taking a swig of her rougher breakfast ale between each. A delighted smile breaks over her features after tasting Brock's Best Beer. (Appraise=21, Bluff=6) "That's -- er -- your brew's not half bad, I suppose," she says, in the most unconvingly blas� tone since the time she was caught orange-handed in amongst the pumpkin tarts.

Selithe d20+3=23
Wednesday October 20th, 2004 1:26:09 AM
Selithe takes a small sip of the drinks that Brock gets them and looks to the others as she concentrates on the taste. (Holy cow nat 20. Roll of 23) Selithe blinks as she looks to Brock and then the glass, "Wow, I have to admit this is some of the best beer I have ever had. Guess I don't go to the right taverns to gamble."

Kendry d20+4=6 d20=19 d20+4=11
Wednesday October 20th, 2004 4:02:51 AM
Kendry tastes the beer [Appraise 6]. Must have been the eggs that threw off his taste buds. He requests some crackers to clean his palate (he doesn't mention cleaning his palate, rather he simply requests the crackers, nibbles on them, then takes another taste). "Ah, yes, good, very good," he opines. "I really had to take that second taste to begin to appreciate just how good it is." [Second roll, no bonus applied, 19 ... maybe Brock's Best Brew takes some warming up to fully appreciate.]

"Look, mister Brock, the price I offered you seemed pretty high already to me. I've never paid more'n a silver for a cuppa brew before. But this is tasty, and all, and like Selithe says. Already there's seven fifty on the table. I mentioned another part. We want to get it on the boat, and get it back to Hovel, right quick, and without a lot of fuss. Tell you what. You help us convince the boat captain to take us back upstream right quick, and we'll make it nine hundred for five casks of Brock's Best Beer, and you help us do it quiet, there's an extra hundred. That's a whole thousand, good profit for great beer, and good service." [Diplomacy 11.]

Then another thought occurs to him. "Say, mister Brock, gold is something, sure, but, sometimes, it's what one person can do for another. Is there some sort of good turn we might do for you, or someone you care about, in appreciation for you sellin' us your excellent brew? Keepin' in mind our shortness of time, and all."

Kendry is willing to kick in another 100, and/or to drop the request to four casks of Brock's Best and the one of Goblin Top Lager, or three of BBB, one of Brock's Delicious Hard Cider, and one GTL, but he will wait with these counters until after he gauges Brock's response. He figures the party has got to hold some in reserve to pay for an early boat ride back, even though they hold round trip tickets -- and, it would be nice to have some of the money given for the group to share, as Polly said.

Kendry to Nalfein
Wednesday October 20th, 2004 4:11:44 AM
"Hey, Nalf, what do you say, older brother?" Kendry asks, wondering how he is doing, and whether he wants to add to the negotiations.

Bargaining Time (DM Cayzle)
Wednesday October 20th, 2004 12:20:12 PM
The bargaining begins in earnest, as Brock begins making counter offers. "Each cask of my Best holds 400 pints, and I charge a gold a pint for it here in the house. That's 400 gold a cask, and 1,600 gold for four casks. But seeing as you come from my pal Calfast, I could see clear to knocking a clean hundred off each cask -- that's 1,200 for four casks, and I'm doing you a favor by it!"

Responding to Selithe's mention that she would be willing to spread the word around at home in praise of Brock's drink, the half-orc grins and chuckles. "Well now, miss, that's very nice of you, but to be blunt, who are you folks to tell tales? Are you known? respected? famous? Why would anyone listen to kids like you folks?"

When Kendry offers a favor, the answer is similar. "Well, youngsters, what is it you can do? Too small to carry stuff. I would feel too guilty sending you to do anything that was actually dangerous. And around here that's just about everything."

He turns to Selithe again. "And even if you did get halflings a-drool over my beer, none of them hardly ever makes it down to my patch of ground! The trip is too risky for most a them. Merchants come by, sure, but they buy the cheap stuff to drink and haggle me worst than you all over the good stuff."

Finally, he adds, grinning, "I could have a word with the captain of your barge, I suppose. But askin for favors is no way to bargain!"

He is obviously enjoying the banter, and seems eager to hear the party's next offer.

Selithe
Wednesday October 20th, 2004 8:50:49 PM
Selithe chuckles and nods, "You have a good point Brock, I am known only alittle for my skills at the cards." Selithe thinks and glances around the bar before speaking, "You a gambling man Brock? Please don't take offense to this offer but how about I offer a friendly wager of I'll play you for the price of 1,000gps. If I loose I will see that you get the previous mentioned price of 1,200gps. Would that be exceptable? and also please don't take our youth as a hidderance on our abilities. We are capable of alot of things sir."

Selithe grins, "An good ol' Kendry here can sing really nice so I bet he could put on a show tonight with his singing."

Shale
Thursday October 21st, 2004 12:09:48 AM
Shale whispers to Polly, "This is going to take a while it seems. I've been thinkinga a lot about that adventure idea. Maybe we could head north and fight some giants..."

Polly
Thursday October 21st, 2004 1:54:29 AM
"A wager? You're starting the fun early today, Selithe." Having cleaned her own plate with the last of her bread, Polly swaps it for the one she'd ordered for Mayzie, tossing the thin girl a wink and a grin. "Just how many casks of your brew do you have available to sell, sir?"

She nods in response to Shale's whisper and waves to catch Duncan's attention, signalling, after, north, giants. With a tilt of her head, an interrogative lift of her brows and a jerk of her thumb toward Shale, she indicates that it's his question.

Mayzie
Thursday October 21st, 2004 11:39:49 AM
'Something else occurs to me Brock' mentions Mayzie.

'We want to buy the beer to give your friend Calfast an advantage when it comes to winning the election.'

'If we are to do this, then there are two things to remember. The first is that the advantage only counts if no one else has the good beer at the other parties. So ... would you be willing to not sell any of your beer to the other two parties? Oh I know you dont want to offend customers, but you might be able stall them until after the parties are over?

The other thing to remember is that whilst WE are nobodies, calfast wont be a nobody when he is Burgomeister, and if he does it because of your help, then he will be grateful right? Also we wont be nobodies anymore when we are friends of the Burgomeister. So I think it is to our mutual advantage if you keep the price low and the competition without beer. If calfast wins, we all win right?'

Kendry d20+5=9 d20+4=21
Thursday October 21st, 2004 3:28:59 PM
Kendry laughs when his sister suggests the wager. "She is really incorrigible, Brock," he says with a grin, and dropping the 'mister,' "and that's why we love her." He also smiles at her suggestion of singing tonight. Providing the locals some entertainment might help boost the inn's sales. Besides, it'd be fun, most likely. But time is tight.

He notes Shale whispering to Polly, but can't quite make out what he's saying (Listen: 9). He has no trouble seeing Polly's signals to Duncan, however. Wow! Wouldn't it be heroic to take down an evil giant? Then he rubs his eyes and tells himself to focus back on the matter at hand.

Mayzie has some well taken points, he thinks. But, if we can convince the boat's captain to take off immediately (or as soon as possible), that could lessen the risk of other's buying Brock's Best. Even if they do, how would they get it back to Hovel in time?

"How about this, mister Brock?" Kendry suggests. "Eleven hundred for the four casks of Brock's Best Beer, or twelve hundred fifty for the same, plus a cask of Brock's Delicious Hard Cider thrown in to clinch the deal." [Diplomacy 21]

He takes another sip of Brock's Best, and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. "Mmmm," he vocalizes with quiet pleasure.

Brock final offer! (DM Cayzle)
Thursday October 21st, 2004 6:26:06 PM
Brock listens to the offers and nods. "We can come to terms, for sure! 1,150 gold for four casks of my Best, I won't sell it to anyone else for a month, I'll have a word with your captain, and a measly extra 75 gold gets gets you a cask of cider, if you want it! That's my final offer!"

He sits back and grins, sure that this will be acceptable.

"And be sure to tell Calfast what a bargain I gave you!"

Selithe
Thursday October 21st, 2004 10:10:56 PM
Selithe chuckles softly and looks to Kendry, "I can't help it dear brother. Gambling is my life as is card making."

Selithe thinks and winks to Brock, "I still intend to get that game sometime Brock. I think you would most deffinetly be a challenge since I get the feeling you play cards off and on." Selithe smiles now and watches her friends now before turning her attention back to Duncan and whispering towards him, "You sure I can't get some neat stories from Polly about you? Your sooo cute when you blush."

Shale
Thursday October 21st, 2004 11:02:29 PM
Shale taps Kendry on the shoulder and whispers to him, "Sounds like a good deal as long as he won't sell anymore to anybody who comes along, lets buy the beer and get moving."

Kendry
Thursday October 21st, 2004 11:06:08 PM
"Sis, gambling may be a way of life. I hope it's never the sum of your life," Kendry softly answers his sister's declaration. "I know there's much more to you than your favorite pursuit, sweetie pie," he tells her with a twinkle in his eye.

On hearing Brock's 'final offer,' Kendry declares, "If Nalfein nods his head, 'yes,' then we have a deal, mister Brock! Four casks of Brock's Best Beer, one cask of Brock's Delicious Hard Cider, and you give a word to the captain, for twelve hundred twenty five. Say, could you toss in helping us carry the barrels? Like you said, we are kind of small for carrying things. A cask must weigh upwards of three fifty, four hundred pounds, given that a pint weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of a pound. I can carry about one fifty by myself, with a fair bit of huffing and puffing. Say, these casks come with taps, don't they?"

He addresses his friends. "How many blankets do we have among us? We'll want to pad these babies, keep them from rolling about and such. Rope, too. Need to tie them down."

Kendry's afterthought
Friday October 22nd, 2004 2:26:19 AM
"Oh, some canvas to cover them, too," he adds to the desired inventory. "And some big, air-filled bladders, for padding and flotation, if necessary. And..." his voice trails off as he looks into his mug. He knows he'll want to keep his wits about him, but he is sure that one more sip should not hurt. So he enjoys one last taste, until Calfast's party, of Brock's Best Beer. "I'd finish the rest, mister, but I'd better wait until we get back to Hovel and mister Calfast. Gotta try to keep my mind sharp. We'll be sure to tell him how well you treated us."

Mayzie
Friday October 22nd, 2004 7:03:58 AM
Smiling at Kendry Mayzie points out

'I suppose life is a gamble from one minute to the next. You make a bet with the world that you will still be alive by the next day. You bet that you will be where you have planned to be that night. You bet that your plans for your future will come true and that it is up to you what you make of your life.

Sometimes we win the bet. Sometimes we dont. No one ever wins all the bets. I have seen gamblers before in bars. Some of them are in it for the cash. Others seem to be in it for the gambling itself. Those ones, I have wondered, perhaps like the game so much because they are trying to beat chance, and chance applies as much to all of life as to a game of cards.

As a druid I see a great deal of chance at work. Animals live and die by it. They do their best to hedge their bets by having different natural abilities, such as good weapons, being alert, being fast, but in the end they all roll a dice every minute of the day.

I think people do the same. We all know the stories of the little bakers boy who finds a spellbook, learns magick, and years later is an archwizard trying to conquer death and possibly the world. Isn't all he is trying to do is stop the dice rolling? Or to write the numbers he wants on the faces of the dice? Calfast and his party. The beer is just a way to try and make the dice roll in his favour.'

mayzie notices she has been musing for a long time and blushes at her uncharacteristic verbosity.

'Well. You know what I mean.'

Polly
Friday October 22nd, 2004 10:10:15 AM
Polly blinks slowly at Mayzie, then nudges her oldest cousin. "Come on, Nalfein -- say yes. It sounds like Mr. Brock is making us a good deal. I bet we can move the barrels ourselves if we work together to roll them; would the jouncing damage the beer, or will it be okay with time to settle afterward? Maybe that nice fellow Samual would be willing to help us move them. I have a blanket and rope, and I bet the crew keeps some padding materials on the barge -- did anybody look?"

Loading Up and Saying So Long! (DM Cayzle)
Friday October 22nd, 2004 4:03:51 PM
Brock grins at Selithe's offer of a game, but Markie warns him -- her voice is harsh, but she smiles and says, "Don't you dare, Brock! You know better!"

Brock shrugs ruefully and instead says, "Loading and packing is a big job! And no, rolling is NOT good, if you care about quality! Getting those casks packed up good and proper -- and stowing them on ship -- is a BIG job! If you're not a professional, don't even try it. With normal drink it would matter less, but Brock's Best is a delicate beer!"

"If I have to do that for you, I'll need something more! I'd be willing to take one of you on to pay off the extra, for a month or three, here at the tavern. But you all talk too much -- or are two free with the insults!" He glares at Nalfein, who perhaps has been wise to keep a low profile.

"Wait! That one" -- he points at Duncan -- "knows how to keep quiet! I'll take him on for a while to pay off the extra expenses."

Duncan nods at that, apparently willing to stay behind for now.

With that agreed, the group gets the beer paid for and loaded up. The captain of the barge agrees to shove off immediately. "It's still a three or four day trip upriver," he warns.

The group says a good-by to Brock and to Duncan, and heads off towards home.

==========

[OOC from Cayzle: Willoughby left us a while back, and I heard from Duncan's player that he'll be unable to play for a while. Either might rejoin the Wold later on, but meanwhile, Jerry is doing some recruiting to fill the empty slots. E-mail me if you have any questions or comments.]

Shale
Friday October 22nd, 2004 9:38:38 PM
Shale notices the group is getting smaller as time goes on. Nodding thoughtfully to himself Shale speaks up.

"We can tie quite a few onto Valor and have him carry them at least back to the ship. Then we can shove off and use the cart from there."

Shale also offers to carry them a load at a time by himself.

Once the arrangements are made for the carrying back to the ship, Shale heads back over to the ship to find the captain again.

Selithe
Friday October 22nd, 2004 11:53:01 PM
Selithe nods and grins at the half-orc ladies comment to Brock and speaks gently, "Maybe another time if I'm this way. I would enjoy the challenge and even offer at that time a non profit gamble, just for the fun good sir Brock."

Selithe will do what she can to help with the loading of the barrels, mainly to keep her mind off of Duncan staying behind to help Brock out. Before the boat shoves off she gives Duncan a big hug, hanging onto him for just a moment afterwards and whispering before getting on the boat, tears showing in her eyes, "Bye Duncan, I'm going to miss you. You better cetch up to us sometime."

Once the boat is on it's way Selithe has found a place and flops down on the deck, sighing and now just flipping over cards, not in a game but in a clear sign of heart ache, she have never really known how much she liked Duncan till now. Selithe will not eat much and for the moment not seek out anyone to talk to as she is in her own little world.

Kendry d20+7=18
Saturday October 23rd, 2004 6:26:22 PM
On Gambling

The bard listens to Mayzie's homily on gambling, chance, and one's approach to life. "You and Selithe should team up. You could handle her publicity," he teases her. Then, more seriously, he comments, "I think there are differences between investments, or farming, or various types of hard work, and gambling. Things of long-lasting value and worth can come out of work. But gambling is a zero-sum game. One wins, one loses. But in building a house, or growing a crop, it's more of winning, without another having to lose. That risk is an element of life, well, who can disagree? But to look at gambling as on par with what some might deem more noble pursuits, I'm not sure the analogy -- metaphor? -- holds. I'll think over what you said, though, Mayzie. Some good things to ponder, there."

Duncan stays behind?

'You sure, Duncan? If you not want stay, I stay with big half orc. How you sign his name?' he asks, spelling out b-r-o-c-k.

But, as it seems his expressive but quiet friend is willing to stick around, he tells him, 'Well, you keep eyes and ears and nose about, have more stories when next we meet. Stay safe. No insults to big one, you see what happened my brother. Big one almost strong as I, he kids. Maybe I write you letter. You try answer?' he asks.

Waiting for a moment when Selithe is elsewhere, Kendry slips Duncan his last platinum piece. 'Some for you, and maybe you find small gift for my sister for when we meet next.'

"Thank you, mister Brock, and Markie, ma'am. Take good care of our friend. He's really good with gardening."

Before leaving the inn, he quickly composes a bit of doggerel in honor of their hosts and of Duncan's new locale, and recites it just before leave-taking.

Markie, Brock and Duncan
They work a well-run inn
At Traders' Corner outpost
They deal in beer and grins

Markie serves great eggs and ham
Brock keeps things straight, his strong right hand
Is sure to serve the Wold's best beer
And keep the trav'lers full of cheer

Silent Duncan twirls the broom
Defeats dust devils, sweeps the room
One day his name through all the Wold
'Duncan - Hero - the quick and bold'

Markie, Brock and Duncan
They work a well-run inn
At Traders' Corner outpost
They deal in beer and grins

He shakes Duncan's hand, and bids their friend farewell.

Aboard

"Shale, good idea. Maybe Bigun can help us, and Slag, with movin' the barrels from the boat to our cart, too. But - I know you're nimble, but those casks are big enough to hold two or three of us - and weigh as much as ten or fourteen of us. I couldn't carry one all by myself, and you know I can beat you in arm wrestling," he says with a wink.*

Kendry asks the captain whether there are stretches of the river where people can get along the shore, and help drag the boat upstream with ropes, to speed things up. If so, he volunteers to help out in a shift a day. During the trip, he again observes the captain and crew, trying to learn how they operate the boat, and navigate the river.

At evening, the young bard sings songs of journeys and friends, of love and courtship, of home and its pleasures [Perform: 18], trying in his own way to offer his sister some comfort as she prepares her heart for absence from her friend. And not just his sister, for he thinks all will miss steady, loyal Duncan and his joyous antics.

* [OOC: 400 pints is 50 gallons. A (U.S.) gallon of water weighs about 8.5 pounds, thus 425 pounds if filled with water. Beer is less dense, therefore somewhat lighter, than water (so the barrels should float in water :-) ). But a 400 pint cask is going to weigh 350 - 400 pounds, I'd guess. Kendry, with a strength of 15, can carry up to 150 pounds. Shale is not as strong as Ken, so the notion of carrying a cask by himself is extremely optimistic. Valor might be able to take two casks at a time - but might complain about the weight, and not want to carry it too far. -Kim]

Mayzie
Sunday October 24th, 2004 8:11:00 AM
Mayzie smiles at the young bard's song.

'Well, the world doesnt consider values such as nobility, that exists only in the minds of men.

I was not really making a moral point. Nor in fact was I condoning gambling as a game. I am neutral on that matter, and have no skill or taste for it myself. However there is a similarity. What you describe as investment is mostly a way to tilt chance in your favour. The hard work and investment you speak of is a way to get lower but more certain returns and to bend the odds your way. A harsh winter, a few storms, wild beasts, all can snatch it away, but the odds are against it.

Selithe can lose everything in the turn of a card, but she can also increase what she has 100 fold, something that would take you 50 years of hard work to achieve on a farm.

The difference is of course you on your farm are likely to always have food to eat, or at least most of the time. Selithe would have a far less certain life.

The point is important however. Why do you think I believe in a standing army rather than a militia? Because a couple of giants would decimate our silly untrained army is why. We rely on the towers to protect us, and one day, the dice will fall the wrong way and the towers will fail. Sooner or later that will happen.

If we are ready and prepared for it, it doesnt have to be a disaster. If we are not then we are all so much snacks for the giants.

Myself, I hate leaving a threat unattended. Nature teaches us that if you do not do the eating then something else will eat you. My own policy were I ever inclined to politics, would be to consider and organise the pursuit fo the giants into their own lands and drive them away so far that they will never threaten our valley again, not leave them there waiting for the day the towers fall.'

Mayzie (2)
Sunday October 24th, 2004 8:42:48 AM
Mayzie will say her farewell to Duncan and also to Brock and his wife.

'It was a pleasure tohave met you Duncan. Perhaps while you are here Brock can show you how to brew some beer. Its always good to have more than one way to make a living.'

Polly
Sunday October 24th, 2004 4:15:34 PM
Polly clasps Duncan's arm in farewell and mutters, "I'll keep a eye on your garden." She turns away without another word to help pad the beer barrels for the trip upriver.

Once they're under weigh, she approaches the barge captain. "May I help with the rowing or other tasks aboard? I'll to anything to help keep the journey down to three days; we've got a deadline to meet. And to tell the truth, I think I just might go nuts doing nothing for that long."

Shale d20+6=25 d20=20
Monday October 25th, 2004 10:19:24 PM
"Bah, Valor is the strongest pony from here till the other side of the Scab. He'll carry a couple at a time and smile all the while."

Rubbing his hands together Shale signals to the others for help.

With the help of the others and some rope they load Valor up and move the barrels to the ship two at a time until they are all loaded.

(Animal Handling =25,Strength = Natural 20 WOOT)

"Lets shove off!!!"

DM Stephen
Tuesday October 26th, 2004 2:46:59 AM
Will post first thing in the morning (Tuesday around 6am CST) for Monday. Sorry, exhaustion took me earlier than I suspected. I will post Tuesday night on schedule if I have to prop my eye lids open with toothpicks and duct tape.

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