05. Journey to O'Hare

[dmw71]

Continuation from here: viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1290&start=80#p36324

---

Shannigans, content with his quick explorartion, returns to the others and shares that it is safe to cross the cave entrance. Gwilt nods once, then moves on past the cave entrance, followed by the rest of the group in order.

The group safely rounds the bend, staying between the cliff and the stream, both of which lead to the north. Once they are able to speak normally, Gwilt says to Alordan: "You should take over here pretty soon, as you have a much better idea of where we are going."

The early travels are uneventful as the morning sun shines down upon the group -- which can be interpreted as a positive omen. Unfamiliar with the code of honor adhered to by Ewell and Strom, Shannigan asks: "How are we gonna 'splain that we didnt kill 'em all? The town isnt gonna wanna hear that we merely 'ran 'em off', which begins a healty discussion, with Kaltar pointing out that the group did dispatch a fair number of goblins, and Ewell is also quick to point out that the nearby villagers were complaining about orcs, not goblins, and not a single orc the group encountered survived, including the "boss."

---

As the group continues their journey, Alordan provides the following bit of background on his recent experiences in O'Hare, the town he left, that you're now heading towards:

"I think it would be a good idea to try and dig up some extra information - when I was there I got none directly. There is definitely a strange feeling about the town. Don't like it much, which is why I didn't hang around long - they certainly weren't in the mood to entertain any visitors and pretty much made it clear I wasn't wanted. I sure aren't gonna hang around a place like that... but maybe bringing back a token of that leader you guys took care of could be a boon in our favor. Good idea to hole up there a day or two and get rested up and grab a drink or three - maybe learn somethin'"

[Alethan]

With Alordan in the lead, Gwilt will fall back to the rear of the group, checking periodically to make sure they aren't being followed.

Still short on flight arrows, he will continue with sheaf arrows, which don't have quite the distance but do hold more stopping power contained within their broad arrow heads.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan nods to Gwilt as he quickly volunteers to take the rear, "if you could kindly look to covering our tracks on our way -- be good to make sure those goblins don't get any funny ideas of following us." He murmurs and nods to himself for a second or two.

To the group: "the town is about a day or so away - we'll be following some trails off and on - but I'll keep to the route I came by unless some sign shows we should reroute. As we get closer, I think we should approach the town with caution. As I mentioned, they weren't a very welcoming group of folks and, well, would be dangerous, in my mind, to approach without a thought of how we'd get out in a hurry, ya know?"

Alordan then heads out along the cliff face and follows the river route he took. He'll range about 25 yds ahead in tight forest and 75-100 yds ahead when in the open scouting for tracks or signs of non-animal activity that would be cause for concern. Bow is relaxed but ready.

[dmw71]

"The town is about a day or so away - we'll be following some trails off and on - but I'll keep to the route I came by unless some sign shows we should reroute. As we get closer, I think we should approach the town with caution. As I mentioned, they weren't a very welcoming group of folks and, well, would be dangerous, in my mind, to approach without a thought of how we'd get out in a hurry, ya know?"

The heat of the midday sun beats down upon you. Out in the open, with little opportunity to seek any form of shade, the heat proves to be brutal, especially for those clad armor. For as far as the eye can see, the situation remains unchanged: The cliff borders your left (west) and the stream your right.

Alordan briefly halt his progress in the lead, which initially raises an alarm in the trailing party members, until Alordan waves them forward. As the group is together again, taking the opportunity to rest their legs, cover their tracks, and replenish liquids, Alordan mentions that O'Hare is actually in this land between the cliff and stream; that the same conditions apply even north beyond O'Hare for another four or five days journey, with the stream seeming to snake along the cliff. "Ultimately," he shares, "the the stream ends a half days travel before this bend occurs." Realizing pictures work better than words, he pulls out his dagger and carves a rough approximation of the the following rough map into the ground providing a visual representation of the journey ahead:

Code: Select all

          ___  -> continues east
         /   
        / $
        |  $$ 
        /   $$
       |    $$$
       \   $$$$
       |    $$$
       |    $$$$
cliff  \     $$$  <-- stream
       /     $$$
       |    $$$$
       |    $$$
        \ X  $$$  <-- X = O'Hare
        |   $$$
$       /  $$$ <-- You are roughly here
 $ ____/   $$$
 $        $$$
  $$$$$$$$$$

  ^
  |

waterfall

---

The short break proves informative and refreshing. Alordan prepares to scout in advance of the rest of the group again, but before breaking off from the rest of the group, adds: "As we get closer, I think we should approach the town with caution. As I mentioned, they weren't a very welcoming group of folks and, well, would be dangerous, in my mind, to approach without a thought of how we'd get out in a hurry, ya know? I'll flag you ahead when that time comes, hopefully around nightfall.

[dmw71]

Alordan continues to lead out in front of the group while Gwilt and Garth work to minimize any tracks the party leaves behind. Aside from the occasional break, the group remains focused on making good progress.

---

Afternoon passes without incident.

---

Several hours later the sun begins to lower on the horizon marking the eventual end of the day.

---

Eventually, Alordan waves the rest of the group forward to his position. "We're not far." he says, pointing out on the horizon. In the distance, the dark forms of buildings can be seen, as well as the increasing occurrence of lamps or lanterns being lit from within the various homes and buildings with the approaching nightfall. "They almost look like fireflies." Shannigans says of the buildings off in the distance. "At least to me they do."

---

"Let's stick together from this point on." Alordan states as he urges the group to begin their approach.

[Alethan]

Adopting the standard niceties of entering a town, Gwilt shoulders his bow and sheathes his arrow. He checks to make sure his scimitar is lose in its scabbard, however.

He suggests any others with weapons out do the same so as to not create a bad first impression with the town folk.

He also stops attempting to cover their tracks and tries to walk like normal, as if out for a stroll. He succeeds in suppressing his desire to whistle a little tune while doing so. No use in laying it on too thickly...

[dmw71]

Sorry to keep plodding you along, but you're almost there!

---

With night falling rapidly, the group estimates it is a half hour out from the town. You each find it difficult to contain your excitement over the prospect of spending the night in an actual bed, so with a measured pace, the party continues to approach the town.

It’s difficult to be certain in this level of darkness, but the sounds and smells have you believing a farm or pasture is nearby. Or several of them. You continue to approach the town on what is now a more well-worn path and the cluster of buildings are becoming more obvious as you near, with a larger structure of some kind off on the far end of town. Alordan did not visit this larger structure during his brief stay here, but believes it to be a temple.

---

This relatively small farming town does not have a wall surrounding it. Gwilt shoulders his bow and sheathes his arrow, but makes sure his scimitar is loose in its scabbard. "We should all appear to be as little a threat as possible," he suggests, encouraging the rest of the party to secure their weapons as well; a request everyone complies with.

Alordan continues to lead you past several small barns, farms and other non-descript buildings on either side of the path through town. "There," Alordan says, indicating with a nod of his head one of the larger buildings off to the right. "That’s the 'Bronze Goat Inn', where I stayed while passing through recently. There’s another place a bit further down this path, 'The Sleeping Dragon Inn,' or somethin’ like that, but I ain’t visited it."

---

Actions?

[Alethan]

"Well... how's the food? And..." Gwilt checks the weight of his coin pouch, "... how fair are their prices?"

He listens to see if he can hear any noise of activity coming from the inn...

[onlyme]

Ewell peps up at the sound of a served meal. Yes, lets see what kind of feast they can provide us.. He makes sure his attire is as presentable as one can be after camping and hiking.

[Stonjuz]

"I hope they have pie." The halfling looks around enthusiastically at the others, twice to Alordan.
"Think I should sneek in? What if I'm spotted?"

[saalaria]

"Hopefully no need to sneak here." the cleric however does not make a move to enter the building, merely looking around nervously in the gloom.

[onlyme]

"I hope they have pie." The halfling looks around enthusiastically at the others, twice to Alordan.
"Think I should sneek in? What if I'm spotted?"

Ewell looks at the halfling. "No need. You should be proud to walk in. Sneaking shows you have something to hide.

[Computer +1]

Strom, leaning heavily on his spear for support, limp along with the group.
As a bunch of strangers thrown together I believe we have done very well. The orcs are dead as are quite a few goblins and wargs. A moment to rest and recover is all we need in order to continue on stronger than before.

He grimaces in pain and quickly tries to cover it up by walking faster. Indeed a good nights sleep and I will be ready to fight again.

Hey guys, good to be back home and with ya.

[dmw71]

The immediate proximity of the location, coupled with the idea of a feast and good room are enough of a selling point that the party seems to move towards the entrance of the 'Bronze Goat Inn' as if drawn in by its gravity. Gwilt inquires about the fairness of the rates when Kaltar steps up alongside the ranger. "Don't forget, we have these," he says, patting a belt pouch containing the coins recovered from the batch of goblins whose gambling session the group interrupted. Gwilt smiles and thanks the holy man, while taking a moment to listen for noise coming from within the establishment. Some overlapping conversations can be heard from within, so it's not a dead town. Ewell and Strom join Alordan in the lead.

A lightly armored human with dusty-colored skin, cropped black hair and a long braided goatee arrives at the door of the Inn at the same time as Ewell, Strom and Alordan. He reaches for the door first, holding it open for the group to pass before him, and appears to be size up the party as you pass.

[Alethan]

Strom, leaning heavily on his spear for support, limp along with the group.
As a bunch of strangers thrown together I believe we have done very well. The orcs are dead as are quite a few goblins and wargs. A moment to rest and recover is all we need in order to continue on stronger than before.

He grimaces in pain and quickly tries to cover it up by walking faster. Indeed a good nights sleep and I will be ready to fight again.

Hey guys, good to be back home and with ya.

"Sure, and if one is good, then three might be even better, Master Strom. You took quite a beating yesterday."

Gwilt pats Kaltar on the shoulder, "But maybe our good friend here can administer your needs and speed up the recovery time a bit. Indeed," he adds,"I could even do with some blessings from your god. But first, lets eat. I'm starving."

Welcome back, C+1! Glad to have you back in the saddle!

[Stonjuz]

dmw wrote.....He reaches for the door first, holding it open for the group to pass before him, and appears to be size up the party as you pass
"The Bronze Goat...", Shannigans says with excitement.
'My first adventurer's Inn.' He thinks to himself.
"... and such a welcome! Thank you sir.", and then to the others, "A nice cobbler perhaps."

[onlyme]

A lightly armored human with dusty-colored skin, cropped black hair and a long braided goatee arrives at the door of the Inn at the same time as Ewell, Strom and Alordan. He reaches for the door first, holding it open for the group to pass before him, and appears to be size up the party as you pass.

Ewell smiles at the human. Thank you good man. I am delighted to find this place is properly civilized. Name's Ewell.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan nods to the man holding the door and says quietly "We bring word of the defeat of the orcs..." and passes through into the Inn.

[dmw71]

One-by-one the party enters the 'Bronze Goat Inn' through the door being held open for them.

Strom, Ewell and Alordan enter first. Strom dutifully acknowledges the man, but grimaces in pain and quickly increases his pace in an attempt to conceal his obvious discomfort. Ewell smiles at the human. "Thank you good man. I am delighted to find this place is properly civilized. Name's Ewell. The armed man touches his forhead, his chin and then circling his hand with a flouriosh as he bows. "May the blessing of thoth be upon your brow, o' imbiber of spirits." he says. Alordan passes next and nods to the man holding the door, quietly saying "We bring word of the defeat of the orcs...", which furrows the brow and draws an questioning look from the stranger.

Gwilt and Kaltar finish the conversation they are engaged in while passing, with Gwilt saying "But first, lets eat. I'm starving," summing up the situation perfectly. Next pass Garth and Shannigans. "The Bronze Goat...," Shannigans says with excitement, which draws the hint of a slight smile from the man holding the door who simply lowers and raises his head slightly in greeting as Shannigans thanks him. Garth enters last, nodding thanks the stranger holding the door.

The stranger enters the Inn himself after the group has fully passed.

[dmw71]

The Inn itself seems like a pleasant enough place. There is a scattering of customers spread out in this common room, even at this time of night. Three people, common folk, possibly farmers, are sitting quietly by themselves on stools at the bar to your right, nursing drinks from mugs. There is also a pair having drinks and a meal seated at at one of the three available round tables in the room; their conversation ends abruptly as they witness the door open and the party enter. There is also a larger rectangular table which could easy seat eight to ten people in the room, as well as a few benches along the walls.

A man of considerable girth stands behind the bar; he wipes his hands on his apron and looks at the group as you enter. "Welcome to the Bronze Goat Inn. The finest Inn in all the land." he says, leading you to suspect he is the owner of the place. "I'va got beer on tap back here, light or dark, your pick. I'va also got wine, or brandy. So, what'll ya have?" he asks. "Make yerselves comfortable. I'll be right wit'cha."