Intermission in Millhaven And Journey to Stomanell City

[Rex]

Conweena

"Nothing good for sure."

[sunphoenix]

Harker nods in agreement, "I know very little of these beasts.. such folk-lore was not something taught by my family's tutors but clearly they are frighteningly real and despicably wicked-hearted! I'll not postulate upon the evil they would inflict upon the innocent ~ but perhaps THAT is what their Evil craves... untainted innocence. We must certainly urge the authorities of Stomanell to assemble a force of soldiers or hunters to drive this vile scum from these lands... or at the very least increase road patrols to deal with this vermin!"

Then he takes a deep breath, "But if the Authority in Stomanell City do not, I'm dedicated to finding and stopping these curs, for the sake of the innocent... if that is the party will aid me in doing so. And we will need to be properly equipped in arms and armor to deal with them first. Though I do wish to investigate the disappearance of Sentinel Brother Thalas near Breden. I .. feel perhaps his missing may be potentially connected with these ~ Wichtelmännchen, I pray not... but the hunch still... troubles my heart."

[BackworldTraveller]

Igber

Nice speech, and wipes a tear from his eye.

It turns out he's not quite as hardened as he'd thought.

[gurusql]

Traesta

"Let of light of Paldon lead us to Stomanell City"

[Rex]

Conweena

"To Stomanell City then."

[BackworldTraveller]

Igber will help Pebble into the wagon and then climb up himself. He'll sit, so as to be able to watch for any group following behind.

[redwarrior]

Dorath will walk along with the wagon, occasionally hoping on to give his feet a rest, watching the left flank.

[ravenn4544]

Pebble is greatly relieved by the healing spell and the rest. He bounces back ready to go. A little stiff to be sure but feeling ready to go.

Hps: 9/10

[Rex]

Conweena

Conweena walks along, bring up the rear.

[sunphoenix]

Harker will walk alongside Coweena at the rear guarding the party from pursuit...

[gurusql]

Traesta

Since no one is on the right flank, Traesta will walk on that side.

[Ithril]

I rolled for encounters, and you didn't get any, so I'll cut to the chase.

When you finish your breakfast, you break camp, and begin the last stages of your journey to Stomanell. The thick forests and wild lands of the Crovird Bluffs fall to the distance. The horses trot a happier pace, more cheerful that their path now seems to run more downhill than up, and anything uphill is much more gentle. The dense patches of the Krekur forest fall away from the road, though you are never far from a picturesque copse or grove of trees.

By the evening you have reached the far edges of civilization. The first signs of which were the tilled fields that began on your left, already a verdant green with fresh summer growth. The road turns slightly north for a spell, and now the farm lands are on both sides, though they are still irregular. Travelers on the road also become more common; farmers or shepherds on one evening errand or another, and all seem happy, or at least reasonably pleasant to friendly strangers.

Shortly after sunset, you find yourselves at a crossroads; the Sountern road traveling across the River Rushing to the small village of Crosbornlam. Here, Drego decides to settle for the night, and you make camp. Naturally, still wary of the strange country, you set watches, but the only intruders for the night are a few raccoons, and some dogs who seem to have gotten loose from a local farm. They certainly don't look wild, stray, or hungry. They investigate the strangers in their lands, and move off once their curiosity is sated.

The final day of your journey is cheerful enough. The farms continue to become more concentrated, and the travelers on the road more common as you get nearer to the city.

Finally you arrive in civilization proper. The outer towns of Stomanell are villages in tier own part, and it takes much of the day to navigate them. Late in the afternoon you finally reach the gates to the city. Broad thick high walls protect the city from invaders, and the guards check your wagon carefully before letting you pass. Drego presents the invitation with The Duke's Seal on it, but they still insist on checking the wagon, as their duty demands, though they are polite. They also inform you on common laws and customs. One of the more important of which is that all weapons (except daggers) must be tied into their sheaths, or otherwise bound by cloth ties (known as a peace bond, a common practice in most towns and cities). Carrying a weapon unbound is a Class 2 crime. Dorath can already expect that spellcasting is as taboo here as it has been anywhere else.

The city, Though large, is a crowded, noisy, dirty place - the epitome of the medieval city. The streets are mostly earthen, quite narrow (except for the major streets), twisting, unlit and often unsafe. "Sanitation" consists of a small trench cut in the center of the street. Buildings are one- or two-story constructions usually made of crude brick or wood; a few are made of fired brick, fewer still are made with stone.

Being evening, Drego wastes no time taking you to the inn you are to be kept at while you are on The Duke's Business. It is within walking distance. Once you are unloaded and settled, he bids you safe travels, and reminds you that you must see the Secretary of the Minister of State tomorrow, and he points you in the direction of the Low Palace where they can be found. His duty was to bring you to the Duke's City, and now his charge is completed. He accepts any gratuity you offer with gratitude, and wanders off with his carriage for his own lodging and to care for his horses.


At this point all members can consider themselves fully healed and cured, though a red welt might persist at the sight of the wound for a few days or a week.

I have to leave town again for the weekend. I'll post if/when I can. I should be back Tuesday, so I should be able to post again in a week on Wednesday at the latest.
When I return we will deal with leveling up, and preparation for the next adventure!

[BackworldTraveller]

Igber

Igber's first task will be to will be to look at the Inn itself and those with nearby businesses. Which are the local beggars that might be watching for rich marks moving in? What are the obvious access routes into our rooms from ground and roofline? Who are the neighbours? Who are the staff? To whom does the landlord look for protection in case of trouble (or are the guard so prevalent that he's too dangerous to "protect"?). Where does the inn-keeper secret the barrel-stave used to encourage dodgy customers to leave? Who are those that work in or for the inn other than the inn-keeper?

Our presence, and our being on the Duke's payroll, will be of interest to many parties. Perhaps Drego might be able to give us an introductory talk on the local "Noble and Streetwise Political Infrastructures" before he leaves?

He'll also look to see which of the nearby establishments have interesting daughters! And take a bath just in case they are interested in him.

[Rex]

Conweena

Conweena will settle in her room, then see about getting a meal followed by a bath. After that she will go through all her gear and make sure everything is in order, good shape and ready to go.

[redwarrior]

Dorath will settle in and, after procuring a bath, head down to the main tavern hall, eat a meal, and engage with the patrons in light banter. He won't press if he gets any resistance, but he's looking for the following sorts of information:
- is astrology lumped in with magic here, or considered differently, maybe as entertainment or divinely inspired (this was his shtick in the carnival troupe, and he can present as an astrologer, an actor, and/or a scribe)
- similarly, is acting held in high regard?
he has some questions on spell components -powdered silver, acquiring a good pearl, and a priest who will part with some bless spells - but he will hold that until leveling happens or doesn't. This seems like the sort of discussion he wants to have with a mage, or at least know to have very casually.

Other than that, he will just be sociable and try to become a bit of a "known face" here.

[gurusql]

Traesta

Traesta will see if one of the party members, Conweena perhaps, will let her use a corner of the room. Traesta is quite short on funds at the moment.

[Rex]

Conweena

Sharing a room is not an issue at all. In fact Conweena would prefer that more from a safety/watch out for each other type situation then the cost.

[ravenn4544]

Pebble too will search for a modest room with the rest. He is happy to share what funds he has with the group for lodging and meals. He doesn't really know what he doesn't know - or need. A meal and a bath is one thing that would be welcome.

His sword needs some attention after the battle. Nicks and burrs and a dull blade. He will go in search of blacksmith to help hone is sword.

[redwarrior]

Dorath is more than happy to help with party expenses. Between a decent money roll and nothing to spend it on so far...

[sunphoenix]

On arrival in town Harker will consult with the party and suggest when we acquire lodging we do so at the same Inn or at least consult with each other the names and locations of the Inns we all decide upon to use. He will secure a room in the same inn/lodge that Conweena and Traesta choose just to be close.

But once this is all determined he will make his way to the local Temple District in the city seeking audience with the Clergy of Paladon to make a report on his recent activities and the threat of the wilderness Wichtelmännchen tribes praying upon travelers abducting children specifically. He asks if the local Authority aware of this threat and what efforts are being taken to deal with the growing threat? If he discovers that nothing is being done or the local authority has never heard of this threat he will ask the church if they will empower Him to act against these Miscreant monsters? He will also ask if they have any news of his fellow Sentinel Brother Thalas who was last heard from near Breden?

He does inform the Church he intends to continue to fight against these Wichtelmännchen and try to rescue any captives they have taken... to which he would humbly request a Kite Shield and Longbow with a quiver 'score' of arrows from the church armories to pursue this evil? He knows a horse is very expensive and his means very meager..but it would be invaluable to his cause in pursuit of the defense and potential rescue of the innocent in the clutches of evil.