DM Kathy Thursday May 2nd, 2013 11:19:58 PM
After more than a week on the river, you return to the Trading Post. The place hasn't changed much since you left, but then it hasn't been all that long.
One of the first things you see when you enter the Trading Post is Ka and Pen in earnest conversation together. Ka's warriors stand nearby, looking around at the buildings and people with wide-eyed amazement.
"They're back!" cries Polly when she catches sight of you. She grins and claps her plump hands with excitement. "Back already!" she adds.
Pen turns to look at you. "Well, that was quick," he says. "Relatively speaking. Our new ally here has been filling me in."
Pen is anxious to hear your report, but seeing the way your attention is wandering, he laughs and leads the way to the inn. "We'll get you a good meal, and you can tell me all about it," he says.
(StevenVdB) Ragnarök HP 33/34 - AC22/21/15 / 26 vs AoO - CMD 24 / 26 vs Grapple Friday May 3rd, 2013 12:12:35 AM
The prospect of a decent meal rings in Rag's ears so he gladly accepts Pen's invitation. While eating he says little though. He does not think he qualified for reporting in. He will fill gaps here and there if needed and will answer when questioned.
(Jorge) Asteron Worldtraveller AC 19/11/17 -- CMD 21 -- HP 39/43 -- Rage 13/17 Friday May 3rd, 2013 8:10:07 AM
Asteron has his fill... which means several times what the largest human in the Outpost can eat when in his best form. Besides, this is hot food, good gravy, and fresh bread to scoop it up, so he refuses nothing that is placed in front of him.
After he is satisfied, he turns to Pen and asks, "Since Ka has already began filling you in, why don't you tell us what he's told you already, so we can fill in the details?"
The minotaur will let the others do the reporting, and will be content to just add whatever they miss.
(Ezra, the Second) Yngvar Hefnd AC 14{18}/14{18}/12{16} -- CMD 13 -- HP 25/25 Saturday May 4th, 2013 4:21:45 AM
Yngvar pushes the door open and scans the interior before heading for his usual table in the corner, Haggard! You're about to have a bunch of hungry people in here. Yngvar drops his haversack against the wall and settles back against the wall.
A smile creases the travel worn face as he catches sight of one of the bright spots of being out in this wilderness. 'Tis Hope that gave me reason to return, and I do hope that you have some mead ready for me. Yngvar winks as Hope approaches the table with a mug and pitcher.
(Sean) Toregan Dondarin AC 18/14/14 -- CMD 19 -- HP 29/29 Saturday May 4th, 2013 8:45:53 PM
Toregan grins as he sees Ka, glad their friend has made it to the post. [/b]"And quite a story it will be Pen."[b] When Toregan enters the inn, he chuckles as Yngvar flirts with Hope. He settles in at the table, putting his gear next to his seat.
DM Kathy Sunday May 5th, 2013 10:52:04 PM
[Before I forget again, please take 600 XP for the last adventure.]
Your meal at the inn is a lively one. Haggard is serving up a mutton stew, with plenty of fresh-baked bread from Borcht's, and of course, plenty of ale. Just about everybody at the Trading Post "happens" to stop by while you are there, to congratulate you and to hear all about your adventures.
Asteron asks Pen about what Ka told him. "Well, not much," the gnome replies. "Ka speaks Common pretty well for a kobold, but it only goes so far. Turns out that young Hope actually speaks dragon-talk, but I didn't find that out until today, so there wasn't much time to learn more. I gather there was something about a hunt for a river god? Who is and is not a crocodile? And you caught the men who wrecked the waystations, which is good. And we seem to be friends with these kobolds, and somebody called Auntie is the reason for it. And you, of course."
"I thought, when you left here, that you were going to check all of the waystations," he adds. "You decided to come back early?"
Hope comes over to talk to Yngvar, but it isn't all sweetness and light. "What did you mean, sending that creepy Zyk guy back here?" she asks. "The guy hasn't stopped staring at me since he got here. I can't even go to the store without him looking at me. What's his deal, anyway?"
(Ezra, the Second) Yngvar Hefnd AC 14{18}/14{18}/12{16} -- CMD 13 -- HP 25/25 Monday May 6th, 2013 12:51:24 PM
yngvar waves Toregan over when he enters the inn. But his anticipation at the pleasant scents coming from the kitchen are soured by Hope's opinion of Zyk. He fell in with the wrong crowd. He is on parole. I will talk with Pen about making sure he is too busy to be thinking bout you.
Nodding as Toregan slides into a seat, we'll have a talk with Zyk as well, he may just need a reminder of how precarious his position is.
(Jorge) Asteron Worldtraveller AC 19/11/17 -- CMD 21 -- HP 39/43 -- Rage 13/17 Monday May 6th, 2013 3:15:33 PM
Asteron listens to Pen's words, before adding: "That is about it, yes, with the exception of us crossing paths with a group of merchants that were going to Town. We escorted them back, hoping they would decide to come here instead, but they were set on going there. So, we think that... Town... and whoever is in charge there is probably behind all the attacks, so we came to report, load up, and suggest we pay a visit."
The taur shifts his weight, as his armor is not the most comfortable of attires. "That visit, we fear, will not be a peaceful one. Thus the decision to come back early. We will need all the help that we can get, whether equipment, advice, maps, rumors... whatever!"
Being a man of arms, the minotaur wants to go in as prepared as he can. He does not want to lose any of his newly found friends either. So, he does what he thinks is best: ask for help.
(StevenVdB) Ragnarök HP 33/34 - AC22/21/15 / 26 vs AoO - CMD 24 / 26 vs Grapple Monday May 6th, 2013 3:16:03 PM
Ragnarök enjoyes the meal and listens to his friends talking to Pen. He smiles how Yngvar does his best to keep Zyk away from Hope...
The moment there's an opening in the conversations Rag says: "Friends I think we need someone to visit the Catacombs. I still have this amulet of natural armor here that belongs to the group and we got several other things that might be worth selling... anyone volounteering for that?"
(Pedro) Faust Havler Tavir'e AC 17/13/14 -- CMD 14 -- HP 27/27 // Wolfgang AC 17/15/14 -- CMD 13 -- HP 13/13 Monday May 6th, 2013 6:58:42 PM
Between chugging some ale and swallowing some meat, Faust manages to take some time to say "I'll go, just allow me to add more bits to mr. Worldtraveller's report: we met said merchants shortly after we checked waystation #6 and they said they didn't see anything out of the ordinary, though they did not rest at #2 nor #5."
"Supposing they did not lie and simply skipped those two stations as a result of being in a hurry or good winds, only #9 and #10 are in need of maintenance...heavy maintenance...especially #10 which has a gigantic tree right in the middle of it, due to it being animated by a treant who wasn't in the vicinity anymore."
"Which brings me to this: it was a wonder of luck we managed to find out what happened to the stations to begin with, so I propose to start a project in order to increase communication, for urgency and to start low, for now I just propose to place a journal at each waystation in a semi-hidden location and instruct travelers to log their stay, where they are going and if they've seen anything out of the ordinary, then later a small scouting group can just quickly pass by them collecting these journals and see if there is anything going on."
He drinks some more ale and goes again, "Also regarding the waystations...the merchants were troubled to rest at #7 due to their animals, so artificially increasing its size a bit can do wonders as far as animal trading goes."
"But the issue remains that travelers see the Outpost as a dangerous place that is 'always' on trouble and that's what 'everyone' thinks about us...it seems the rumors spawn from this town place they all talk about, but we are not certain of that nor if they're just folk rumors or spread with ill intention, which is why we believe a trip to said town is on the way."
(Sean) Toregan Dondarin AC 18/14/14 -- CMD 19 -- HP 29/29 Monday May 6th, 2013 7:21:22 PM
Toregan savors the meals, glad to be eating real food over trail rations. "The River God was the crocodile, and it was causing problems in the region, but we killed it so there shouldn't be any more problems at station #8."
Toregan takes a swig of ale before continuing. "Then we caught these druids, continued on with the inspection, and met up with the merchants." A sour look comes across his face as he remember sthe stories of the Post being spread. "Apparently, we have been attacked by kobolds, dinosaurs, suffered a plague, and been burnt down. The only true thing I heard was the destruction of the Gate."
Toregan sighs and looks into his drink. "Without trade, this post will eventually fail. Maybe these are just random rumors, but if someone is actively spreading these rumors, our best bet is the Town. Besides,"
Toregan's face softens into a grin. "We've got two survivors of that gate destruction here anyways. If a giant magical gate exploding and failing mid transport can't kill us, I doubt there's anything that could."
DM Kathy Monday May 6th, 2013 11:57:18 PM Yngvar promises to look into the Zyk situation.
Asteron theorizes that somebody in Town is spreading rumors, and may be the same person behind the destruction of the waystations. Pen looks thoughtful. "It's possible, I suppose," he says. "Still, you have to wonder, if they're destroying the waystations, how do they expect trade to get to them? As far as I can tell, Town relies on those stations just as much as we do."
Ragnarök suggests that a visit to the Catacombs is in order, and you have pins that allow you to access them from here, yes?
Faust fills in a few details, and suggests leaving logbooks at the station so people can communicate on conditions. Pen nods. "A sound notion. I'll see if anybody going back to the Float would be willing to drop them off." He also promises to send a work crew out to station 10. "That Zyk fellow will be a part of it, of course," he says. "Seems only right."
Toregan elaborates on the rumors. "It's disturbing, no doubt," Pen says. "Wish we had more to go on than 'everybody says so,' but I suppose we'll have to start someplace."
You continue to eat, and drink, well into the night. There is a festive air in the inn, despite your recent troubles. Hope brings out her lute and plays a bit, and everyone is eager to hear of your adventures. The impromptu celebration lasts far into the night; it is late indeed before you are finally able to seek your beds.
(StevenVdB) Ragnarök HP 33/34 - AC22/21/15 / 26 vs AoO - CMD 24 / 26 vs Grapple Tuesday May 7th, 2013 11:54:36 AM
Light in the head, light in the heart, Ragnarök seeks out his chamber to crash. It's been an exiting journey so far. Still there's so much to learn, so my to see... these D.A.R.E. guys linger in his thought wondering when they will meet them again. It goes without saying they will defintely not stop nor will they forget what the group did to two of the D.A.R.E. goons. On the other hands, they probably were low on the ladder anyhow.
Then ultimately the Monk falls in a deep sleep. No watch tonight... just sleep...
(Jorge) Asteron Worldtraveller AC 19/11/17 -- CMD 21 -- HP 40/43 -- Rage 17/17 Tuesday May 7th, 2013 3:25:10 PM
Asteron eats his fill, but drinks only sparingly. He is an amicable fellow, for a taur, but he knows his duty. So, as is his custom, he enrolls in the third watch. Joining whoever is at it from the Outpost.
(Ezra, the Second) Yngvar Hefnd AC 14{18}/14{18}/12{16} -- CMD 13 -- HP 25/25 Tuesday May 7th, 2013 7:43:38 PM Toregan, let's go see how Zyk is getting along. Bidding the others good night, Yngvar heads out to find where Zyk has been bunked.
I hope that you will see how you can do more good for protecting Cthonia by working with us than against us. Understand, we don't trust you, and it will take quite a bit of time before we do. In the mean time, you best be minding your manners. I'd hate to have to put you in chains, or worse.
DM Kathy Tuesday May 7th, 2013 11:39:19 PM Ragnarök takes advantage of the stout walls and able scouts and sleeps the whole night through. Asteron is more cautious, and joins the third watch on the Outpost. The other watchers seem surprised to see him, on his first night back, but say nothing.
Yngvar goes to find Zyk, and finds him asleep in his assigned quarters, a hayloft above the stable. You wake him up. He is not pleased. He tells you in very graphic terms what you can do with your manners, and your chains, and the horse you rode in on. He concludes by throwing his shoe at you. It misses, and hits the far side of the loft. Below, one of the mules begins to bray.
"You'd better go," Zyk says, lying back down. "Sounds like your boyfriend is calling you."
(Pedro) Faust Havler Tavir'e AC 17/13/14 -- CMD 14 -- HP 27/27 // Wolfgang AC 17/15/14 -- CMD 13 -- HP 13/13 Wednesday May 8th, 2013 10:43:57 AM
Once morning dawns and everyone has their fill, if the group's still not leaving for the day, Faust will volunteer to go to the Catacombs sell the found loot and asks if anyone wants anything from the place, other than the obvious minor reagents so Yngvar and himself can do their thing.
Otherwise he'll keep it to himself and his books, trying to predict what sort of day is ahead and plan his spells accordingly.
(StevenVdB) Ragnarök HP 33/34 - AC22/21/15 / 26 vs AoO - CMD 24 / 26 vs Grapple Wednesday May 8th, 2013 2:15:19 PM
The next morning the Monk feels quite refreshed. An uneventful night was all he needed to recover from the long trip by water. Somehow he could still feel the raft rocking back and forthy while he was laying down in his bed... it nearly made his decadent dinner to be spoiled upon the floor...
Ragnarök hands the Amulet of Natural Armor to Faust who plans to go for the Catacombs. Depending on what it harvested Rag has other things he requires...
At breakfast Rag doesn't overeat himself though...
(Jorge) Asteron Worldtraveller AC 19/11/17 -- CMD 21 -- HP 40/43 -- Rage 17/17 Wednesday May 8th, 2013 2:20:39 PM
Asteron is not as refreshed as he would like, but he just shrugs it off. He does welcome a hearty breakfast, chatting amiably with whoever is in the mood. He is a warrior, and combat is serious business to him, but this is a time to relax. Combat will show its face soon enough.
Once breakfast is finished, he joins the others, asking what will happen next.
(Sean) Toregan Dondarin AC 18/14/14 -- CMD 19 -- HP 29/29 Wednesday May 8th, 2013 10:15:43 PM
Toregan wakes in the morning, more or less refreshed after the night of celebrating, and prepares his gear. He considers going to the Catacombs, but decides to save his money for a more expensive purchase. He goes down to the common room to eat with the others, enjoying what peace he can before begining to ask about plans for the Town.
DM Kathy Thursday May 9th, 2013 12:04:26 AM
The day after your arrival is uneventful. Faust volunteers to make the trip to the Catacombs. [All that will happen "offstage" here; Pedro, you can post to the Catacombs board whenever you're ready.]
The rest of you have some breakfast and talk over your plans. It is evident that a trip to Town must be planned in the near future, to get more information about what's going on. However, there also needs to be a work crew sent to station 10 to take care of that tree and the rest of the damage. Pen expresses some concern about having both your group and the work group gone at the same time. "It'd leave us stretched mighty thin," he says.
During the day, you have the opportunity to watch Zyk at "work," if it can be called that. Today, he is carrying things--bringing grain from the grain storage to the brewery and the bakery. He moves at a snail's pace, a sullen scowl on his face. He is, technically, doing what he's been told, but he is clearly pushing the boundaries to see what he can get away with.
You also have the opportunity to speak with Ka. "This very good place!" he tells you enthusiastically. "Good walls. Good bread. We tell Auntie, start trade. Very good!"
(Ezra, the Second) Yngvar Hefnd AC 14{18}/14{18}/12{16} -- CMD 13 -- HP 25/25 Thursday May 9th, 2013 11:32:13 AM
Yngvar sits on the porch for a while watching Zyk, Toregan, we're going to have to do something about him. What do you think about bringing him with us?
(Jorge) Asteron Worldtraveller AC 19/11/17 -- CMD 21 -- HP 41/43 -- Rage 17/17 Thursday May 9th, 2013 9:00:27 PM
The minotaur listens to Pen's words, and agrees. "We could stay here until the work detail returns. But we must eventually go to Town. Word travels fast, so I am sure that my presence in any group will yell that we are from the Outpost. So we must be prepared, as the element of surprise will definitely be against us."
Asteron listens to whatever Pen has to say, having already decide he will do as he decides. He then seeks Ka, wanting to have a little chat with the kobold.
"Ka", the taur addresses the kobold, "this outpost will trade fairly with your tribe, unlike Town. Tell Auntie that she can send traders here whenever she wishes. And should there be any problems, let me know..." the taur towers over the kobold, "and I will make it a personal matter to help however I can."
(Ezra, the Second) Yngvar Hefnd AC 14{18}/14{18}/12{16} -- CMD 13 -- HP 25/25 Friday May 10th, 2013 1:54:39 AM
Yngvar decides to try another tack with Zyk and helps him with the tasks, How did you find the treants? Are they willing or able to consider peaceful relationships? Yngvar works these questions in after a half hour of hauling wood and water around with Zyk, always pushing the pace.
(StevenVdB) Ragnarök HP 33/34 - AC22/21/15 / 26 vs AoO - CMD 24 / 26 vs Grapple Friday May 10th, 2013 4:00:37 AM
Ragnarök finds a place somewhere on a roof top... a quiet place that allows him to meditate. So far he has learned a lot about himself during his journey through Cthonia. Things he thinks are good, things he thinks aren't.
(Pedro) Faust Havler Tavir'e AC 17/13/14 -- CMD 14 -- HP 27/27 // Wolfgang AC 17/15/14 -- CMD 13 -- HP 13/13 Friday May 10th, 2013 9:51:14 AM
[[OOC: Small question, is Faust gone until the dealings in the catacombs are dealt with or that happens in a "alternate timeline" per say?]]
DM Kathy Friday May 10th, 2013 7:57:27 PM
[Faust will be away from the Trading Post for only a few hours. So, yes, you can participate in what's going on here while you do your Catacombs transaction.]
(StevenVdB) Ragnarök HP 33/34 - AC22/21/15 / 26 vs AoO - CMD 24 / 26 vs Grapple Sunday May 12th, 2013 3:00:30 AM
During his meditations the Monk considers how to further improve his skills... "Perhaps I should follow Faust to the Catacombs and see how much we have to spent each... I could use a few things here and there..."
"Friends, I'm going to see where Faust is and will make a quick stop at the Catacombs also... back before you know it!"
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