IC XV

[thirdkingdom]

Badan

The Captain's look turns grim. "There is one magician within the Keep, but he is a middling sort, unable to conjure anything that would have been truly useful during the siege. This is ill news indeed, for it means the Guildmage is either dead or fled, if he did not seek shelter within the city walls. I can only imagine the Baron will be relaxing his laws after this; we could have used some support of the arcane nature. As to your offer of clerics, I thank you."

[Alethan]

Though he doesn't entertain any thoughts of keeping them as troops, Rhys goes around to all of the remaining men in his units to pass out each person's share individually as a show of respect for their bravery and hard work. He sends his injured men to the healers to have their wounds tended.

Once all of that has been completed, he joins back up with his party members in the meeting with Captain Badan.

"If he's fled, is there any thought as to where he might have gone? This might be a good time to push for lighter restrictions on the mages' guild, given the recent events. But without the head of the guild... why bother?"

Rhys will offer to check with the various gates of the city to see if the guild mage made his way in through any of them. If he gets any leads, he will follow up.

[thirdkingdom]

For those who don't remember, the Tower of Myraal the Guildmage was discovered to be sacked and burnt on the journey back to Threshold, with no sign of the mage.

[Alethan]

For those who don't remember, the Tower of Myraal the Guildmage was discovered to be sacked and burnt on the journey back to Threshold, with no sign of the mage.

Ah, that's right. Sorry, forgot that.

[phil285]

Vanco Basou
Vanco also pays out coin to the various troops and families in person, before finding some other clerics to give the remaining coins.
He spends his few orisons of the day treating those with injuries before rejoining his companions.

[thirdkingdom]

I'm going to skip ahead two days. Koren, I owe you some spell checks. I dropped the ball on that, but believe Quint started to learn Light on your way back from the Forgotten City.

Klarmont 13-14

The next two days are spent recuperating and relaxing. The adventurers are something of living folk heroes to the townsfolk of Threshold, and even the military forces regard them with no small amount of awe. The companions find that, for the near future at least, any attempt on their part to pay for lodging, food or drink will be politely rebuffed.

A heavy rain starts the morning of the fourteenth, and looks to continue on through the night, at least. Around midday, there is a shout from those watching the road and half the town turns out to see the Baron leading a company of soaked, muddy and bandaged soldiers up the road. At the Baron's side, looking as bedragled as a wet cat, is Myraal the Guildmage. Later, the adventurers are told than when his Tower was attacked the magician was caught be surprise, and could only teleport away to the Guild headquarters in Specularum, where he was able to contact the Baron and convince him to march north with a portion of his troops. The adventurers are also sent word that the Baron would like to speak with them privately over dinner than evening.

[Wyzard]

Severi has himself cleaned and brushed to a high shine before venturing to the Baron's table. He tells Bruno to come along, but that he's not to speak unless absolutely necessary, and to limit any answers to "yes" or "no" if at all possible.

[phil285]

Vanco Basou
Vanco takes some care to ensure that he is presentable for the Baron, but without any ostentatious show of fine clothing. "It will be interesting to see what the Baron has heard about the fighting here," he remarks in passing.

[Atlictoatl]

Tev Meren, Fighter

As a journeyman of his guild, Tev is no stranger to presenting himself and his guild well and makes appropriate effort for the meeting with the Baron. Similar to his comrades, he donates the majority of his earnings from the battlefield to his surviving men and the families of his fallen.

I'll calculate his troop disbursement in a bit here.

[Koren n'Rhys]

Quint Kacie, Scholar-Mage
For his part, Quint was initially quite bothered to learn that the Guildmage had disappeared. Despite the scene at his tower, Quint had held onto the hope that Myraal had somehow escaped. When he does indeed reappear at the Baron's side the young mage is deeply relieved.

Over the next couple of days, Quint sees to what business he needs to in town, enjoys his new-found fame and takes care of his rewards to the troops that had been under his command. In his free time, he continues to devote time to the study of the new spell book - focusing first on Light, then curious, turning his attention to Find Familiar if he is successful with the first spell and time allows more study.

Once the summons from the Baron arrives, he dresses in his best clothes to join his companions at the Baron's table.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys spends his free time assisting the townsfolk with repairing any damage done by the siege using his carpentry skills. When he has a bit of downtime, he meditates and practices his sword training.

When the summons comes from the Baron, he cleans up as best he can and arrives promptly at the agreed upon time.

[thirdkingdom]

That Night, Tarnskeep

The short ride from Threshold to Tarnskeep reveals the extent of the damage the marauding monsters had wrought. Freeholds burned, crops trampled and livestock brutally slain. The keep itself looks to have suffered significant damage. Where the forces surrounding Threshold seemed content to merely blockade the city, those arrayed against Tarnskeep must have spend considerable time and orcpower assaulting it. The stone of the keep is scarred and pitted, the massive oaken gates cracked and splintered. Inside, blood still stains the flagstones of the keep's central courtyard. The rain continues to fall, although it has lightened somewhat since morning.

The adventurers are led within by a butler, where they find Baron Sherlane Halaran waiting for them at a table set with a simple, yet hearty, repast. The Baron stands and bows to the adventurers. "You have done well, my friends, and aided Threshold in her hour of need. By your lead and example you were able to not only dislodge the forces besieging the city, but to draw enough forces away from my Keep to allow those men within to launch a counter-attack. For these deeds, and the others you have accomplished, you shall all be knighted. I am afraid there are no grants of land that go along with such an honor, nor stipend, but I hope you will consider it at least partial repayment for your aid. In addition, if you have need of the services of my Guildmage you have but to ask. I have instructed him to aid you to the extent of his abilities. The events of the past week have shown me that perhaps my strictures against the practice of arcane magics within the walls of Threshold may be overly restrictive, and I plan on gradually allowing the use within the city limits. As knights, as of now you are no longer bound by the edict against using magical items, and you may also bear whatever arms you carry within the city without need to turn them in."

He goes on to explain more about the process and perks of knighthood, noting that the honor he is bestowing does not turn the adventurers into vassals or servants, but is instead a way of recognizing their service and letting others know of the esteem he holds for them. "You are now entitled to be addressed as 'Sir'; every citizen of Karameikos, from the lowliest peasant to the Duke himself, is honor-bound to give you food and refuge should you desire it." The Baron grow grim. "We shall hold the knighting ceremony two nights hence. But I have another reason for wishing to speak with you. Before Myraal intercepted me, I was prepared to lead my forces northeast, against those of the apostate cleric Elwyn and attempt to relieve the siege of Penhaligon. Alas, I have received word that Penhaligon has fallen, the road north now blockade by her evil minions. That leaves the Duke's Road the only passage north to the goods and markets of Darokin, and the only way for her merchants to reach us."

The Baron rolls out a map that shows the passage north. "The Duke ordered this road built five years ago; until then the road through Penhaligon was the only passable route north. I endure constant grumblings from their fat merchants that our road is fraught with danger, and now that it is the only route I fear the danger will but increase as all manner of evil men and monsters seek the easy plunder. I have spoken to the Duke of my intention to make this road safe by building a series of watchtowers, spaced a day's ride apart, along the road, that will serve as safe havens for caravans and travelers. In order to do so we must survey the land, and make sure no dangerous creatures lurk nearby. I hope to commission your party to lead the survey team, as I cannot spare the men and you have already proven yourselves in battle. I will provision you and your companions and pay for any mercenaries you can convince to go along with you. In addition, any spoils you recover from bandits, bugbears or bogarts will be free of taxation from the crown, until your task is complete."

[Wyzard]

Severi Silvertongue

Severi is attentive to etiquette throughout the meal, rather than simply tearing face-first into roast pig and hunks of fresh bread as he did two days past. "Lord, we are greatly honored, and regret only that some of the goblinoids escaped to the forest before they could be run down. Well, it may be that the beasts of the wild will do for them, in any event."

Severi eyes the map with a calculating cast to his expression. "I think...Hmm. It's certainly a task worthy of our serious consideration. There is a force of abominations in an abandoned city near here that I believe we should burn out before the infection spreads, but that won't be time-consuming in relative terms."

Where is the closest place we could buy warhorses?

[phil285]

Vanco Basou
Vanco reiterates Severi's thanks for the Baron for the honours bestowed on them. He eats sparingly through the meal, and looks to his companions. "I recall that you have some unfinished business before I joined your company; apart from that, I would be willing to take on the Baron's task."

[thirdkingdom]

Klarmont 21, AC 1000

A week passes. The adventurers begin to notice that the heroes' glow has begun to tarnish slightly: fewer drinks are bought for them, and fewer toasts made. While the comely lasses still glance sideways and flounce appealingly other men -- soldiers, mainly, in the Baron's forces -- begin to share some of the limelight.

The companions are eventually summoned to Myraal's makeshift workshop/library, located in the older section of Threshold. The mage is more somber -- and sober -- and looks to have lost several dozen pounds. He points out each item: "The silver ring makes the wearer harder to hit, this gold one improves the wearer's reflexes and allows a faster reaction time, the other gold one protects the wearer from normal fires, and lessens the damage caused by magical flame. The statue is interesting; a pity my books are all gone. Throw it to the ground, and speak the word Uri, and it will transform into a giant shrew that will do your bidding for no more than a third of a day. You may use this figurine's power no more than twice a week."

Okay, so the items are as follows:
1)Ring of Protection +2
2)Ring of Alacrity +1 to initiative rolls and Save v. Wands
3)Ring of Fire Resistance
4)Figurine of Wondrous Power (Argillaceous Shrew)

There's week of downtime: *Quint successfully learns Light on the evening on the day of the 14th*; there's potential for both Severi and Quint to learn a hella lot of spells.

[Wyzard]

Severi looks at the mage's reduced circumstances with a studied lack of concern. If he can catch the old man alone, he makes an offer in low tones. "It looks like you've fallen on hard times. We've done business before, and I think you're good for it. Would a loan help you out, until you can get back on your feet? I think we're going to sell off some of these objects if we can find a good buyer, and the liquid capital might as well go to a good cause..."

[thirdkingdom]

Severi looks at the mage's reduced circumstances with a studied lack of concern. If he can catch the old man alone, he makes an offer in low tones. "It looks like you've fallen on hard times. We've done business before, and I think you're good for it. Would a loan help you out, until you can get back on your feet? I think we're going to sell off some of these objects if we can find a good buyer, and the liquid capital might as well go to a good cause..."

Myraal the Guildmage

Myraal smiles wryly. "I thank you for your offer, but believe you me that both Baron and Guild will be helping me to rebuild my library. It is not so much the cost, but the availability of the destroyed tomes which will make them so hard to replace. Some, unfortunately, are unique, whilst many of the others are extremely rare." He glances sidelong at the elf. "Should you come across any books of forgotten lore during your travels, I would be happy to examine them and would offer you a fair price if they catch my fancy."

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

Thurgan has been using his masonry skills in repairing in the town before the summons to the keep. Afterwards he continues on the repair work while the mages study and he agrees with Severi on clearing those orcish creatures before making the reconnaissance of the road.

[Atlictoatl]

Tev Meren, Fighter

Tev distributes 8 gp to each of his eighteen surviving men, and distributes 20 gp to each of the families of the six fallen men. He uses his newfound fame in the following week to establish a training ground to help train the townfolk in the arts of war, enlisting one of his units of men to assist with that project.

He accepts the social attention with some grace, bringing men from his unit with him to social establishments to share in the glory, and he becomes happier when the attention starts being re-distributed to others who participated in the defense of the town. Membership in his guild requires that he be accustomed to having a social presence, but Tev is enough of a hunter that he prefers to watch society from the edges of the room over being the room's focal point.

[thirdkingdom]

Klarmont 21-25, AC 1000

The adventurers spend almost a week searching for buyers for the two magical items they do not wish to keep. The ring they sell fairly quickly, on the second day, to a bandy-legged, olive-skinned warrior from the northern steppes. She claims to have raided a cursed tower in the west of Karameikos, and pays in ancient platinum coins. The statue takes longer to sell, and the adventurers are about ready to give up when a Thyatian merchant purchases it. "I have contacts back in Thyatis that pay handsomely for such curiosities," he claims, admiring the rude and primitive aspects of the statue. He writes a note of payment to the Karameikan Moneylender's Guild.

Statue sells for 10,000, ring for 2500.