Chapter 1: Arnolst

[GreyWolfVT]

Jorlin shakes his head "Goblins musn't be very smart if they raid a plac ethey know they will never get what they are trying for. Oh, well if you need our help just let us know I suppose. Thank you for the information." the gnome thanks the two guards.

[OGRE MAGE]

Alfonzo nods along with everything the lone guard says.

"Thank you, sir. That helps."

"So, let me ask you this. Do you think there is any chance the folks in charge around here would be willing to hire someone to go out and spy on the goblins? I think a splinter group might be able to infiltrate the oncoming group and get them turned around before they cause any damage. Do you think your leaders would be amicable to an idea such as this? Have you ever attempted the technique before?"

[GregS]

The guard crosses his arms and chews his lip as he looks at all of you one at a time.

Maybe. My cousin is in charge of the patrols. He was telling me…

Maybe. If you’re really interested in helping out, follow me to the barracks. I’ll introduce you to my cousin.

He turns and starts walking slowly in the direction of city center. At the edge of the market he glances back to see if you’re following.

[OGRE MAGE]

Alfonzo looks around at the others gathered, thinking he might need to do this alone.

"I will go out to investigate this menace. Alone if I must. You shouldn't feel any pressure to help if that is not your way."

The ranger follows along with the guard, asking more questions about the layout of the land as they head off to the barracks.

[gurusql]

Gruz

Gruz follows the ranger.

[Ythgar]

Demn

Demn shrugs, says "As good a direction as any", and follows after Alfonzo.

He calls Burt to his side with a clicking sound and a wave of his hand.

[Rex]

Bretina Quickshadow

Bretina walks along with Alfonzo, "Always good to have a ranger around."

[GreyWolfVT]

Jorlin follows Alfonzo.

[GregS]

The guard leads you to city center, answering Alfonzo’s questions along the way. You pass buildings displaying farm implements and clothing, and others with general store wares, interspersed with what appear to be small homes and a couple eating establishments. There is a faint ground tremor that you notice as you might notice a cloud passing in front of the sun. Around you people reach out to stop items from toppling or straighten those that have shifted. None seem aware of their reflexive motions.

At the far end the street opens on to the central square, dominated by wooden barracks and stables that seem to be more recent additions to the older stone architecture of the city. Guards and patrols are coming and going as shifts rotate. Your escort brings you to the stables, towards a man wearing clothes that faintly resemble an officer’s uniform.

[GregS]

The two exchange pleasantries and a brief exchange, too low to hear. Your guard then turns to you and introduces his cousin, patrol captain Eril. Before he speaks, Eril gives you the same scrutiny you received from his cousin.

Cousin Ern says you show some interest in helping our city. I’ll be honest, we certainly have a situation that would benefit from a team of “irregulars,” if you’ll pardon the expression. However, I can’t tell you more about it without higher approval.

He points behind himself with a thumb at a large stone building looming behind the barracks.

If you’re willing to come to the keep, we can talk to someone about getting that approval.

[Rex]

Bretina Quickshadow

"I am willing to come along."

[GreyWolfVT]

Jorlin nods his head "Your cousin speaks the truth patrol captain Eril. I take no offense to that term either. I know I am more than happy to help out. I believe so are the others, but I don't speak for them." the gnome smiles.

[gurusql]

Gruz

"Likewise, Gruz will add his axe to this goal."

[Grognardsw]

The guardsman... "Raiders around here are mostly the goblin types. Now and then the bigger ones bully the smaller ones into attacking the city."

“Goblins,” said Orando, puffing out smoke from his pipe. “How droll. Hardly a three pipe problem.” The world-weary half-elf yearned for the more exotic.

Demn nods his head to Orando, "Orando? I used to help a tavern or two with crowd control. Now I'm just seeking my fortune, but the next meal for Burt might be more important."

Demn spoke. Hope sprang eternal.

“Let us hope Arnolst offers more opportunity than tavern bouncing, good Demn.” Orando pet the dog, if it didn’t look like it would bite his hand off.

Orando observed the rough-and-tumble half-orc, noting the leather armor, flash of daggers, and cudgel. Not a warrior, though probably handy in a scrap. Likely a rogue type, they seem to favor leather armor. The half-elf arcanist watched Alfonso as the human questioned the guard. He saw that the tall 6'4" human wore chain armor and bore a bastard sword. Over the chain he wore plain clothing of earthy colors, with no jewelry or other adornments that might clang in the wind (even though his chainmail had a propensity to rattle). Orando sensed he was a man-of-the-earth type. Perhaps a ranger?

Orando walked with the others toward city center.

"Irregular is almost a compliment for me," said Orando to Eril. "To the Keep than!"

[Ythgar]

Demn

With a shrug Demn says, "Might be a bite to eat in the keep . . ."

[OGRE MAGE]

Glad to have the whole group following along, Alfonzo nods towards Eril his willingness to help. He isn't sure he likes the way Orando keeps looking him up and down, but he keeps that to himself for now.

"That ground tremor we just felt. The locals act as though it happens all the time. Is there a fault or something similar nearby Arnolst?"

[Grognardsw]

Glad to have the whole group following his initial suggestion (such is the burden - nay, joy - of leadership) Orando strode languorously to the Keep, nodding and smiling to any comely passers-by.

Alfonso’s surreptitious glances at Orando were not unnoticed by the half-elf. Was a dance beginning?

“Do you enjoy a good pipe?” Orando archly asked the ranger, ending with a tiny puff of hobbit-weed smoke. Could it be that for a moment the smoke held an unmentionable shape, before dispersing in the air?

[GregS]

The patrol captain motions a runner over and whispers into the lad's ear. The runner bolts toward the keep. Eril turns to Alfonzo.

The earths shakes no more or less here than anywhere else. Arnolst is no less safe than any other location.

He turns and leads you the short distance to the keep, with his cousin tagging along behind the group. The keep appears to be an administrative building that is being used as a military command center. Entering the main doors, a long corridor stretches in front of you with offices opening to either side. Officers stride along the hall purposefully, while aides and adjutants scurry about with harried looks. The patrol captain leads you to the far end of the hall. The last door on the right is opened as you approach by a graying man in a well worn veterans uniform. At the far side of the room, you see a strange figure sitting in a large padded chair placed against the wall. The short, slight, ancient looking man in enormous robes holds a steaming mug in front of his face. When the door is fully opened, he drinks the contents of the mug in one motion. Lowering the mug, he gives each of you a piercing look and then ducks his face to peer into the mug. The door swings closed, leaving you standing in the corridor.

Eril gives you a smile. Now we must wait. Just for a moment.

[Rex]

Bretina Quickshadow

Bretina leans against the wall, "Odd."

[GreyWolfVT]

Jorlin nods at the remark of 'odd' "That it is."