Cadmus the Confused
"I'm of a mind to travel on, especially after hearing that the news of our escapades in Danum has already reached here," he murmurs to his companions. "What I want to know is: how did the news reach here before us? We've been riding since we left, with only the short side trip into the woods to kill the werewolf. If anyone passed us it must have been that night."
[IC] Into the Unknown
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thirdkingdom
- Rider of Rohan
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Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter
"I don't know, but that rumour is very specific," Alfius says in a low voice. "I'm wondering if our dagger is hidden well enough if we are searched upon entry into the city. We will have to think of a plan on the road, for I suspect we'll be at the city gates tomorrow. Let's finish our meal and keep going."
"I don't know, but that rumour is very specific," Alfius says in a low voice. "I'm wondering if our dagger is hidden well enough if we are searched upon entry into the city. We will have to think of a plan on the road, for I suspect we'll be at the city gates tomorrow. Let's finish our meal and keep going."
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Julius Sleazer
- Pathfinder
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Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
18th Springmonth I
The adventurers finish their noon-meal and then ride eastwards, covering another two score miles before they are forced to make camp for the night. They find a hedgerow behind which to hobble the horses, and are able to construct a lean-to out of sticks, hay, and dry grass to shelter from a very light drizzle overnight. As the sun falls below the horizon, they can see many lights or fires to the east.
The adventurers finish their noon-meal and then ride eastwards, covering another two score miles before they are forced to make camp for the night. They find a hedgerow behind which to hobble the horses, and are able to construct a lean-to out of sticks, hay, and dry grass to shelter from a very light drizzle overnight. As the sun falls below the horizon, they can see many lights or fires to the east.
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Julius Sleazer
- Pathfinder
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Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
19th Springmonth I
The party breaks its fast, mounts up, and rides east. After progressing ten miles, the adventurers are hailed by a party of seven armed and mounted men. All wear red coats, cut at waist-length, under cuirasses. One of them bestrides a very fine warhorse, and has a red coat of a finer cut and wool than those of the others; gold braid and thread also adorns it.
"Hola there! Hola the travellers!" he calls out in a tone of accustomed authority. "What news from the West, young men?"
The party breaks its fast, mounts up, and rides east. After progressing ten miles, the adventurers are hailed by a party of seven armed and mounted men. All wear red coats, cut at waist-length, under cuirasses. One of them bestrides a very fine warhorse, and has a red coat of a finer cut and wool than those of the others; gold braid and thread also adorns it.
"Hola there! Hola the travellers!" he calls out in a tone of accustomed authority. "What news from the West, young men?"
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Tacitus the Multiloquent
Tacitus regales the man with tales of an all-nude revue in the forest, and informs him that Danum is full of liars, thieves, and assassins. "There's some kind of nonsense going on about a master thief who got drunk in a game of cards and lost a dagger to a trio of harlots dressed as men. He has a religious objection to women gambling, or at least beating him, and has sworn to kill the three of them and get his knife back. In any event, there's been blood in the streets over it, and we've heard five different versions of the tale on our way along this road, with varying different reward amounts. We are adventurers, but being as how the man'd likely cut our throats before paying us, we've stayed well clear."
"The knife is supposed to be carved from a unicorn horn, though."
Tacitus regales the man with tales of an all-nude revue in the forest, and informs him that Danum is full of liars, thieves, and assassins. "There's some kind of nonsense going on about a master thief who got drunk in a game of cards and lost a dagger to a trio of harlots dressed as men. He has a religious objection to women gambling, or at least beating him, and has sworn to kill the three of them and get his knife back. In any event, there's been blood in the streets over it, and we've heard five different versions of the tale on our way along this road, with varying different reward amounts. We are adventurers, but being as how the man'd likely cut our throats before paying us, we've stayed well clear."
"The knife is supposed to be carved from a unicorn horn, though."
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Julius Sleazer
- Pathfinder
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Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Man in the Road Coat
"Bah! Sounds just like Danum. Dirty little town indeed."
"Speaking of Danum, where are you from, rider? Your accent is similar to that of Danum...but not quite. For a minute I was wondering if you were a Severian, since you are headed east, but you have not the speech of a Severian."
"Bah! Sounds just like Danum. Dirty little town indeed."
"Speaking of Danum, where are you from, rider? Your accent is similar to that of Danum...but not quite. For a minute I was wondering if you were a Severian, since you are headed east, but you have not the speech of a Severian."
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Tacitus the Multiloquent
"We're from a little village you've probably never heard of, a few days' ride from there. If anyone ever mentions the hamlet of Humbug, you can say you once met a man from there. It'll be a rare distinction for you."
"We're from a little village you've probably never heard of, a few days' ride from there. If anyone ever mentions the hamlet of Humbug, you can say you once met a man from there. It'll be a rare distinction for you."
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter
"Yes, a place that had no excitement, although that will change that the Severians are streaming in. Do you know where a couple of enterprising lads can find gainful employment in the city?"
"Yes, a place that had no excitement, although that will change that the Severians are streaming in. Do you know where a couple of enterprising lads can find gainful employment in the city?"
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Julius Sleazer
- Pathfinder
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- Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2015 12:41 am
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Man in the Red Coat
The man looks the adventurers up and down and then responds, "Name's Martinus Paduei. You boys look a bit wet behind the ears, but you've not the look of cowards about you. You ever considered joining the army? It can be a good path to advancement for a man from a small country village who's looking to make his mark in the world."
The man looks the adventurers up and down and then responds, "Name's Martinus Paduei. You boys look a bit wet behind the ears, but you've not the look of cowards about you. You ever considered joining the army? It can be a good path to advancement for a man from a small country village who's looking to make his mark in the world."
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Tacitus the Multiloquent
"I appreciate the offer, sir, but we mean to seek our own fortunes in the big city. If we can't make it, we'll probably take the king's coin."
"I appreciate the offer, sir, but we mean to seek our own fortunes in the big city. If we can't make it, we'll probably take the king's coin."
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter
Alfius nods in confirmation of Tacitus' prognostication.
Alfius nods in confirmation of Tacitus' prognostication.
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Julius Sleazer
- Pathfinder
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Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Man in the Road Coat --- Martinus Paduei
"I hear you. Army life just isn't for some folk. I suppose you could join the Queen's Guard, but these days that's so close to being in the army that most folk can't tell us apart---we both wear red coats."
"Hmm. You look like you're probably doing well enough for yourself that taking a job as a bouncer or an ordinary private guard is probably a waste of your time. Lots of trouble in the capitol, and folks are looking for a little muscle to guard what's theirs."
"If you end up guarding some inn, you'll like enough get bored, and you won't make much money. If you're trying to move up in the world, I'd recommend guarding for a Great House. None of the nobility are allowed to own farmland in the capitol district, but they can own townhouses in Camulodunon itself. They'll want help guarding what's theirs, and the best way to rise fast is to make powerful friends. Impress a High Lord or Lady, and you could easily find yourself recommended for a sinecure, or earning a pretty penny commanding a corps of bodyguards. Maybe even getting "special missions." I think that's probably your best way to the top."
"They say House Brutus pays a pretty penny, but to hell with them. They're one step away from being traitors, in my book. You want to work for a House that you can at least be proud to say you work for, I'd hold. Trying signing on with House Ambrosius, perhaps. They've always been accounted staunch defenders of the realm, and they're said to be loyal to men who swear fealty."
"If you're headed east, you'll soon see the rest of the force that's going to Severia. Ask for Brigantius the Bastard. He's with the Twelfth Ever-Courageous Lancers. A nobleman's packsaddle child, you see? His father bought him a commission. Tell him Martinus Paduei sent you, and he should give you some pointers on where to look for work with some noble families."
"Friends in high places, that's your best bet. I assume you didn't run away from the farm only to grub for coppers working some drudge-job in a low quarter of the city."
"I hear you. Army life just isn't for some folk. I suppose you could join the Queen's Guard, but these days that's so close to being in the army that most folk can't tell us apart---we both wear red coats."
"Hmm. You look like you're probably doing well enough for yourself that taking a job as a bouncer or an ordinary private guard is probably a waste of your time. Lots of trouble in the capitol, and folks are looking for a little muscle to guard what's theirs."
"If you end up guarding some inn, you'll like enough get bored, and you won't make much money. If you're trying to move up in the world, I'd recommend guarding for a Great House. None of the nobility are allowed to own farmland in the capitol district, but they can own townhouses in Camulodunon itself. They'll want help guarding what's theirs, and the best way to rise fast is to make powerful friends. Impress a High Lord or Lady, and you could easily find yourself recommended for a sinecure, or earning a pretty penny commanding a corps of bodyguards. Maybe even getting "special missions." I think that's probably your best way to the top."
"They say House Brutus pays a pretty penny, but to hell with them. They're one step away from being traitors, in my book. You want to work for a House that you can at least be proud to say you work for, I'd hold. Trying signing on with House Ambrosius, perhaps. They've always been accounted staunch defenders of the realm, and they're said to be loyal to men who swear fealty."
"If you're headed east, you'll soon see the rest of the force that's going to Severia. Ask for Brigantius the Bastard. He's with the Twelfth Ever-Courageous Lancers. A nobleman's packsaddle child, you see? His father bought him a commission. Tell him Martinus Paduei sent you, and he should give you some pointers on where to look for work with some noble families."
"Friends in high places, that's your best bet. I assume you didn't run away from the farm only to grub for coppers working some drudge-job in a low quarter of the city."
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter
"No, sir, we did not. Thank you for your words." Alfius bids the redcoat adieu.
"No, sir, we did not. Thank you for your words." Alfius bids the redcoat adieu.
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Julius Sleazer
- Pathfinder
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Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
19th Springmonth I
The adventurers bid farewell to Martinus Paduei and the men with him and continue riding east. They progress for ten miles, hearing all along the way from local rustics that the army will soon arrive. The swains and loons are true to their word; at the end of ten miles, the army is in sight.
In front, the adventurers sight lightly-armed outriders and hobilars scouting in advance. Then comes the main body of the army, moving at the slow pace of the infantrymen. There are cavalrymen ahorse, and afoot many companies of pikemen and crossbowmen, and some longbowmen here and there. The road is a sea of red wool and flashing steel. Dust rises high in the air, forming a choking cloud, and booming drums and shrill fifes pierce the air.
The northern two thirds of the road is taken up by the army marching west. Various junior officers and their bodies of attendants ride up and down the line on fast horses, acting as a form of traffic control; the southern third only of the road is reserved for civilian traffic heading east. Consequently, traffic to the east is slowed down and constricted.
Red-coated men on foot carrying halberds and wearing tall black hats patrol the edges of the road. Their apparent task is to stop impatient civilians from trampling the local peasantry's fields in an attempt to bypass the bottleneck on the road. Some of the adventurer's fellow travellers in the east-bound portion of the road opine that those with the halberds are also there to prevent the soldiers from looting or harassing the peasantry, and thus causing feelings of ill-will towards the crown to spread.
The other eastward travellers with whom the adventurers find themselves keeping company are a variety of small-time traders with wagons or carts, footsore tramps, farmers running errands mounted on plow-horses or piloting hay-wains, and men of various stations in life mounted on riding horses. A few of the more ragged men on foot seem like possible Severian refugees to the adventurers, based on their sighting of such men in the region around Danum.
To the north, the flow of soldiers continues on and on. For the most part, the infantrymen huff and puff along, with the exception of the fifers and drummers. Some of the men ahorse, however, seem not so weary, and potentially hail-able.
Here and there, farmers watch from their fields. Some cast dirty looks at the troops, while others cheer the Queen. The majority display no strong outward reaction one way or the other.
The adventurers bid farewell to Martinus Paduei and the men with him and continue riding east. They progress for ten miles, hearing all along the way from local rustics that the army will soon arrive. The swains and loons are true to their word; at the end of ten miles, the army is in sight.
In front, the adventurers sight lightly-armed outriders and hobilars scouting in advance. Then comes the main body of the army, moving at the slow pace of the infantrymen. There are cavalrymen ahorse, and afoot many companies of pikemen and crossbowmen, and some longbowmen here and there. The road is a sea of red wool and flashing steel. Dust rises high in the air, forming a choking cloud, and booming drums and shrill fifes pierce the air.
The northern two thirds of the road is taken up by the army marching west. Various junior officers and their bodies of attendants ride up and down the line on fast horses, acting as a form of traffic control; the southern third only of the road is reserved for civilian traffic heading east. Consequently, traffic to the east is slowed down and constricted.
The other eastward travellers with whom the adventurers find themselves keeping company are a variety of small-time traders with wagons or carts, footsore tramps, farmers running errands mounted on plow-horses or piloting hay-wains, and men of various stations in life mounted on riding horses. A few of the more ragged men on foot seem like possible Severian refugees to the adventurers, based on their sighting of such men in the region around Danum.
To the north, the flow of soldiers continues on and on. For the most part, the infantrymen huff and puff along, with the exception of the fifers and drummers. Some of the men ahorse, however, seem not so weary, and potentially hail-able.
Here and there, farmers watch from their fields. Some cast dirty looks at the troops, while others cheer the Queen. The majority display no strong outward reaction one way or the other.
Last edited by Julius Sleazer on Mon Nov 16, 2015 7:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter
Alfius gives the troops a cheer as they first pass by, but does not interrupt any of the horsemen.
Alfius gives the troops a cheer as they first pass by, but does not interrupt any of the horsemen.
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Julius Sleazer
- Pathfinder
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Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
19th Springmonth I
After the last of the baggage-train and the rear-guard passes by, civilian traffic spreads east. The adventurers let their horses get back up to full speed and ride east. At the end of the day, they find themselves nowhere near any sign of civilization other than distant farmhouses. Preferring to seek shelter in the open rather than bother a farmer---and risk an arrow in the night for coming to a man's house after dark---they seek shelter under the stars.
A howl splits the night at one point, but it has more the sound of a farmer's dog than any wolf. The adventurers are close enough to the road in their camp that those on watch can monitor it. They see none passing down the road.
20th Springmonth I
After breaking their fast, the party mounts up. After riding a mere two miles, they come to a tiny thorp that is likely not on any map. Even by the standards of Durans Well, this place is small.
It appears to consist of little more than a blacksmith's forge, an alehouse, and three houses. A few youthful yokels emerge from the alehouse and begin to jeer and shake their fists at the adventurers. One of them carries a threatening-looking cudgel, and another has his hand resting menacingly near the handle of a wood-chopping axe.
After the last of the baggage-train and the rear-guard passes by, civilian traffic spreads east. The adventurers let their horses get back up to full speed and ride east. At the end of the day, they find themselves nowhere near any sign of civilization other than distant farmhouses. Preferring to seek shelter in the open rather than bother a farmer---and risk an arrow in the night for coming to a man's house after dark---they seek shelter under the stars.
A howl splits the night at one point, but it has more the sound of a farmer's dog than any wolf. The adventurers are close enough to the road in their camp that those on watch can monitor it. They see none passing down the road.
After breaking their fast, the party mounts up. After riding a mere two miles, they come to a tiny thorp that is likely not on any map. Even by the standards of Durans Well, this place is small.
It appears to consist of little more than a blacksmith's forge, an alehouse, and three houses. A few youthful yokels emerge from the alehouse and begin to jeer and shake their fists at the adventurers. One of them carries a threatening-looking cudgel, and another has his hand resting menacingly near the handle of a wood-chopping axe.
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MonsterMash
- Ranger
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Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Decimus Numerous
Decimus looks down at the yelling yokels and speaks "Make way, there is nothing for you but hurt if you impede our progress".
Decimus looks down at the yelling yokels and speaks "Make way, there is nothing for you but hurt if you impede our progress".
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Julius Sleazer
- Pathfinder
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- Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2015 12:41 am
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
20th Springmonth I
The young yokels back off a few paces, obviously taken aback by Decimus' calm confidence, but continue their aggressive posturing. From across the road, a burly broad-browed bulging-biceped big-beared bald man charges out of the blacksmith's establishment, wearing a sooty leather apron and boldly brandishing a hammer. He roars with rage, and the youths high-tail it.
Putting down his hammer and clutching his chest, the smith turns to the adventurers. "Sorry about that," he pants. "Damn fools. Nine-tenths of my business is shoeing horses, and if people are afraid to stop at the alehouse while on the road, how am I to have any business?"
"I wouldn't mind if you chased those pissants down and cudgeled some sense into them, but I beg you, don't ride them down and kill them. One of them is my sister-son's cousin. Damn fools."
"Fools, but they have reason to be upset. Night before last, a man came through town riding a horse after full dark, and he rode down and killed one of ours, a young woman soon to be married who was crossing the street."
"So...these fools are angry at outlanders. No cause to be harassing honest travellers such as you seem to be, but hopefully you can at least see where their anger came from. Of course it's misplaced---you don't seem the types to ride a horse into a lather, 'specially after the sun's down."
The young yokels back off a few paces, obviously taken aback by Decimus' calm confidence, but continue their aggressive posturing. From across the road, a burly broad-browed bulging-biceped big-beared bald man charges out of the blacksmith's establishment, wearing a sooty leather apron and boldly brandishing a hammer. He roars with rage, and the youths high-tail it.
Putting down his hammer and clutching his chest, the smith turns to the adventurers. "Sorry about that," he pants. "Damn fools. Nine-tenths of my business is shoeing horses, and if people are afraid to stop at the alehouse while on the road, how am I to have any business?"
"I wouldn't mind if you chased those pissants down and cudgeled some sense into them, but I beg you, don't ride them down and kill them. One of them is my sister-son's cousin. Damn fools."
"Fools, but they have reason to be upset. Night before last, a man came through town riding a horse after full dark, and he rode down and killed one of ours, a young woman soon to be married who was crossing the street."
"So...these fools are angry at outlanders. No cause to be harassing honest travellers such as you seem to be, but hopefully you can at least see where their anger came from. Of course it's misplaced---you don't seem the types to ride a horse into a lather, 'specially after the sun's down."
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter
Alfius shakes his head. "I have a suspicion that this man is part of the same band of ruffians that tormented Danum just a week ago. No doubt he intends to inflict the same chaos on Camulodunon." Alfius makes a sign to ward off chaos with his fingers. "The army that marched past here must have left your town earlier that day, too soon to do anything about such troublemakers. I hope the city guards will be more effective."
"Yonder boys caused us no trouble; we shall not smite them in return. Fare well!"
Alfius shakes his head. "I have a suspicion that this man is part of the same band of ruffians that tormented Danum just a week ago. No doubt he intends to inflict the same chaos on Camulodunon." Alfius makes a sign to ward off chaos with his fingers. "The army that marched past here must have left your town earlier that day, too soon to do anything about such troublemakers. I hope the city guards will be more effective."
"Yonder boys caused us no trouble; we shall not smite them in return. Fare well!"
Re: [IC] Into the Unknown
Tacitus the MultiloquentVektunaxa wrote:Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter
Alfius shakes his head. "I have a suspicion that this man is part of the same band of ruffians that tormented Danum just a week ago."
"
"It's true, or so we heard. A trio of men stole a cursed crimson-bladed short sword from a chaos cult. It's bent the minds of all who held it. The thieves fell out, and its original owners are also sending assassins and bounty hunters after it. It's a shame that some magistrate doesn't burn them all out." Tacitus shakes his head sorrowfully. "Did anyone see what this man looked like, or which way he rode?"