Chapter 0: The Gathering

[OGRE MAGE]

The dwarves are ready to go at dawn, or a bit before.

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Dawn it is. In reply to Nah.

Androgost finishes his dinner: Let's take a look at these mounts. Qleceec and Garrant, care to join?

Androgost will go with the man from the bar to take a look at his mounts.

[gurusql]

Inns of North Reach
10:15PM Earthday, 6th day of Planting, 597

Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Qleceec(AC 1, HP 63/63)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21)

Rich Vein Pub
Boff, Franny, Hex and Raffi have headed to bed for the evening.

Molten Spider
Nah and Siouxsie have headed to bed for the evening. Androgost, Qleceec and Garrant head outside to look at the riding horses with what turns out to be three other individuals down to the stables. In the stables is a young human of perhaps 14 working as the stable hand. The man that was speaking at the bar, says "Those three riding horses are mine, if you make it worth my while I will consider selling, but given the lateness of the hour I am not looking to negotiate. Give me your best offer for the lot of them."

All of you think that the horses are reasonably looking. Of course something like a thrown shoe could not be told from the stable entrance. Androgost you think that all of these horse are of average worth.

Fixed typos

[Rex]

Qleceec

Book value for 3 riding horses (light) is 75gp, we could offer him 100gp. She has 126gp.

[spanningtree]

Androgost

I'd say we offer 125gp, we can split the amount later. That's a pretty deep discount, but considering the amount of inspection that's being permitted I think that is fair. Thoughts?

[shaidar]

Garrant

"Offer 120gp, that is a decent mark-up for the man. We could end up with duff horses"

[Spearmint]

Siouxsie

Gets up, skips breakfast, unless a half flagon of ale counts.

but Siouxsie (and perhaps another) sleep in a bit extra in order to recover, 'the morning after the night before hangover'. Which is it?

She can be roused to leave earlier than any time sleeping in might take. You just get a grumpy druid until about midday.

I am fine letting others barter for extra horses and supplies. She will leave with the group when ready

[gurusql]

Molten Spider Stable
10:20PM Earthday, 6th day of Planting, 597

Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Qleceec(AC 1, HP 63/63)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21)

Qleceec, Androgost and Garrant are discussing an amount to offer on the 3 riding horse ranging from 100-125 gp. Please feel free to make an offer when you are ready.

Androgost
That's a pretty deep discount, but considering the amount of inspection that's being permitted I think that is fair.

Just a note on this comment, "amount of inspection that's being permitted", should be "amount of inspection that's been performed". There is no one stopping you from additional inspection other the the time urgency comment from the seller.

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec will do a quick inspection of the horses.

"I think it best if you take a look as well Androgost."

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Get down and dirty with Qleceec and spends anb out 5 minutes or so per animal with particular attention to the hooves.

If they pass muster: I tell you what, I'll offer you 120 gold.

[gurusql]

Molten Spider Stable
10:35PM Earthday, 6th day of Planting, 597

Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Qleceec(AC 1, HP 63/63)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21)

Androgost inspects the animals and they look healthy and Androgost makes an offer of 120 gp. The man from the bar let's out a snicker and says "I thought you were serious buyers thanks for wasting my time. A new riding horse in the capital is 25 gp and then all the equipment you need, saddle and the like bring the cost closer to 37 gp a horse. 37 gp times 3 horses is what 120 gp. No way - get away from my horses you thief. This transaction is over!"

[spanningtree]

Androgost

If the gold is not adequate, fine, we can cease discussion. Hold your tongue casting the term thief around, no need to insult and lose your head. I did not ask for saddles or anything else, just the mount. By your own pricing of 25 gold each that would come to 75... not sure what you complaint is.

Let's return to the inn and retire.

Androgost inspects the animals and they look healthy and Androgost makes an offer of 120 gp. The man from the bar let's out a snicker and says "I thought you were serious buyers thanks for wasting my time. A new riding horse in the capital is 25 gp and then all the equipment you need, saddle and the like bring the cost closer to 37 gp a horse. 37 gp times 3 horses is what 120 gp. No way - get away from my horses you thief. This transaction is over!"

[shaidar]

Garrant looks coldly at the man

"Agreed, this was a waste of time."

[gurusql]

The man from the bar

He does not seem able to keep his mouth shut and continues, "Not sure what you complaint is! Ha. Then you are a fool and a thief. You don't want the saddle so I can carry three saddles 70 miles then on my back. I am not a mule, you fool."

[spanningtree]

Androgost

Continues to walk away, not wanting to endanger their mission with the potential bureaucratic blow back from a small town scuffle.

[shaidar]

Garrant looks at Androgost with concern, but seeing the elf is walking away he relaxes and follows.

[gurusql]

Rich Vein Pub & Molten Spider Stables
Dawnish Freeday, 7th day of Planting, 597

Qleceec (AC 1, HP 63/63)
Androgost (AC -6, HP 65/65)
Nah (AC 4, HP 53/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48)
Garrant (AC 8, HP 50/50)
Boff (AC 5, HP 61/61)
Franny (AC 4, HP 26/26)
Hex (AC 0, HP 27/27)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21)

The group has no additional difficulties from "horse seller" in the bar.

It was mentioned that Qleceec would take over point on the trails (which you are about to enter). I just placed the plate mail dressed gnome and halfling (Hex and Raffi) at the back - I welcome being told where they are going to be in the marching order.

9 Adventurers and 10 horses gather in two groups at the two stables which only have a single building between the two. Everyone is present, but there are a few less happy to be there at this time of day than others. Siouxsie and Nah are still feeling the impacts of last night just in different ways (Siouxsie engaged in a little extra libation and Nah is still a little sore from the arm wrestling fatigue.)

I assume that you plan to exit the walls of the city and head north into the hills. The trail has been traveled several times by wagon so if you would prefer a double file formation that is possible as well.

[Spearmint]

for me I am fine in any order. I find a set 'marching order' only necessary when the first guy might fall into a pit. But riding x miles over a prairie, I would expect we jostle and mingle a lot.

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec leads the way out of town.

Marching order is fine with me.

[Storm11]

OOC Hex and Raffi are fine wherever the others think best. At the back is cool with the pair of them