IC II

[VonAlric]

Notai

Images long thought buried returns to the forefront of her mind. The sounds of that day begin to ring in her ears. Shaking her head, she stands. Her voice straining to control itself. "What do you mean? How is that your concern? Tell me now!" The last part almost a shout. She stops speaking and shakes a bit as she wrestles herself into control.

It takes but a moment for Gardo to arrive at her side. "What has happened? Notai, what is wrong? Wulfka, why is..." Notai puts up a hand to stop the questions. "Please calm yourself, I shall be well. Sometimes the wind turns and blows in an unexpected way, startling even the seasoned." She pats his shoulder and returns her gaze to the women. "I would hear more of thy words but you know my people dislike....," she looks at the ceiling and walls. "I wish to be in the open, let my heart see the sky. I know not your plans but allow me to be among them. These two," she gestures to Gardo and Wulfka, "can help arrange things. May the moon shine brightly on your eyes." She bows and quickly moves away.

Gardo stops her after a few steps. "Hey, I don't know what is going on but you won't head outside to camp with the mercs by yourself. Mariusz! Walk back with her. Keep an eye out and let her know if there is something that she better be aware of. Notai, I will check on you later. Go ahead." He moves aside and lets the cerves brave move on.

He turns his attention to the three women. "You heard her. What's your deal and when are you going to talk with her? It bothers me that someone under my employ is rattled like that. Can get a person seriously hurt if they get distracted. Ain't that right, Mariusz? Mariusz? Crap, forgot I sent him out..."

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Twentyfirstday
Kimrid

The sisters three exchange a long, wordless look at Notai's outburst. "We must think on this," says the one on the left, "yes," the one on the middle, "we have learned much today, and yet it seems that each answer raises more questions." "Agreed," says the one on the right, "we will talk, and then we will come and find you tomorrow and discuss what we can."

Fourthmonth, Twentysecondday
Kimrid

The adventurers rise in the morning. It looks to be a clear, beautiful day. Kirra Lec is at the inn bright and early, just as the adventurers are finishing their breakfast. The common room is largely empty, except for Anhere and the obscenely obese man, who stares mournfully at the rasher of bacon before him. Lec and her bodyguard have cleaned up, and are dressed smartly in the colors of the Scarlet Prince. "I will start my day at the Temple to present my credentials," she says, "you are welcome to join me, if you would like." The adventurers note that her bodyguards are both carrying weighted satchels.

Fourthmonth, Twentysecondday
Bastion

Goshawk rises from his bed in his chambers at Leoval's Folly, where he had spent his convalescence. He stretches, feeling the cool morning air on his limbs. The day looks to be clear and cool in the mountainous fortress.

Remember, travel within the Principality can be done without worrying about random encounter checks (well, mostly), so let me know if you want Goshawk to do anything. There are some items being identified in Rhea's Ford, currently, which is south of Bastion.

[shaidar]

Newton

"I get the impression that the authorities here like everything to be just right. So I think we should report to them, and it makes sense to get that done first, so it's out of the way and we can focus on other things"

He turns to Telemachus "If you plan to go searching for wizards, can I accompany you?"

[sulldawga]

Newton

He turns to Telemachus "If you plan to go searching for wizards, can I accompany you?"

Telemachus

"Of course. Just... let me do the talking."

[VonAlric]

Gardo

As the group is eating breakfast, Gardo enters in from the front door. He nods a greeting and sits down to eat alongside Wulfka. When Wulfka looks around and then looks to speak, Gardo raises a hand slightly and shakes his head.

As Kirra Lec and her retinue gather up to head out, he looks to his companions. "So, we all going to meet with these priests at the temple? They seem like they are a touchy bunch when things don't go the way they think they should go." His head points slightly toward the obese man. "Notai is outside for now, she's trying to keep how much time she has to be inside some place to as little as possible. Besides, she figured it would be easier for her to spot the three women from last night out there."

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Twentysecondday
Kimrid

The way to the Temple proper is short; the streets here are broad and straight, cobbled in stone, although the adventurers note grass and weeds growing between the cobbles, here and there. To reinforce what Anhere had said the night before the streets do seem emptier than they might otherwise be; every third or fourth building has the air of abandonment about it.

The temple steps are wide, leading up to an open portico, and flanked on either side by a statue of a lion, prone, ready to spring. Each has the face of a man and a pair of short, stubby wings. The adventurers ascend the stairs, past the looming statues, each taller than Gardo or Feargus, and into the shadowed interior. Halls lead off into an unforseen interior, and a pair of guards, in boiled leather jerkins, kilted in red and black. They wear sandals upon their feet and hold short thrusting spears in one hands. They call for the adventurers to halt, ask their business, and Lec responds they are on a diplomatic mission from the south. Minutes later the party is escorted down a hall and into an audience chamber.

The chamber is lit with oil lamps burning with a sweet smell. Low benches with cushions line three of the walls, facing inwards towards an elaborate wooden chair, the back carved with a stylized lion's mane, facing the center of the room. A middle-age man, black hair streaked with gray, sits in the chair. "I am called Hallnir," he says, "Herald of Mnencir and Voice of the Council. We have heard you come from our old ally, the Scarlet Prince, seeking to renew the bonds of friendship." Lec allows this is so, bowing as she gestures her men forward. They advance, and open their satchels and spreading out gifts before Hallnir: a carved wooden box, a dagger inlayed with jewels, bottles of wine and perfume and other, smaller things. "It is true," she says, "I am the voice of the Prince in these matters, and seek to re-establish the embassy we once had here."

Hallnir turns his head slightly to regard the adventurers once Lec is done speaking.

[sulldawga]

Telemachus

"I am Telemachus the Mage and we are the Company of the Scarlet Warriors. We are adventurers who, much like the Scarlet Prince, seek to advance the cause of civilization in these lands."

[thirdkingdom]

Telemachus

"I am Telemachus the Mage and we are the Company of the Scarlet Warriors. We are adventurers who, much like the Scarlet Prince, seek to advance the cause of civilization in these lands."

Hallnir, Herald of Mnencir, Voice of the Council of Elders

Hallnir nods, as if confirming what he already knew. "Very well," he says to Lac, "we welcome the chance to reestablish ancient ties and renew the old pacts. Give me a day to clear my schedule, and we will begin negotiations in the morning." He turns to the adventurers. "You are here as an escort, I am led to understand, and do not speak for the Prince. It is likely your charge will be here for a week or more. Know that although we are a remote domain, surrounded on all sides by lawlessness, we do not tolerate such within our demesne! You are free to come and go as you please, to speak with who you will like, but any lawbreaking will be dealt with swiftly and harshly!"

[sulldawga]

Telemachus

"Hallnir, as we will be here a week and we aren't involved with the trade negotiations, is there any assistance in other areas we can provide? Any problems you need solved by people with our special set of skills?"

[thirdkingdom]

Telemachus

"Hallnir, as we will be here a week and we aren't involved with the trade negotiations, is there any assistance in other areas we can provide? Any problems you need solved by people with our special set of skills?"

Hallnir, Herald of Mnencir, Voice of the Council of Elders

"I will speak to the Council tonight and let you know in the morning. There may be some tasks for which you will be well suited, but I must consult my counterparts."

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus
To Hallnir, Feargus says, "My Grace, if I may ask do you know anything of the tower south of Kimrid that overlooks the path? My companions and I thought it may be a place of Chaos but surely you know something of the history of it and if it may need a group like ours to investigate."

Upon retreating from the audience chamber, Feargus says to Lec, "I believe our contract was to escort you here, safely. It was only if Kimrid had been destroyed that we would need to escort you back south. Would you like us to remain here while you negotiate or do you see our association at an end?"

Feargus spends the remainder of the day investigating whether the rumors of dervishes training at the temple are true and trying to meet one.

Later that night, he and Mardan Cy get down to business in the common room, performing an extended version of the tale of the Company's adventures.

[The_Wanderer]

Goshawk

Wandering around Bastion, Goshawk finds himself at the stables. "Alright then, time to move on." He gathers his things and saddles his horse. Instead of following the party however, he points his mount south again headed towards Junction to check in with Madam Fleur. From there he will head to Rhea's Ford to gather the remaining magical items before turning northward to track down the party.

[thirdkingdom]

Feargus
To Hallnir, Feargus says, "My Grace, if I may ask do you know anything of the tower south of Kimrid that overlooks the path? My companions and I thought it may be a place of Chaos but surely you know something of the history of it and if it may need a group like ours to investigate."

Hallnir

"Oh, that was once a watchtower, the furthest south that our domain stretched. It was abandoned perhaps twenty years ago, when the orcs incursions got bad. We haven't had the chance to investigate it, to be honest. If you would do such a thing, make sure it is not inhabited by fell beasts, we would be most grateful."

Upon retreating from the audience chamber, Feargus says to Lec, "I believe our contract was to escort you here, safely. It was only if Kimrid had been destroyed that we would need to escort you back south. Would you like us to remain here while you negotiate or do you see our association at an end?"

Kirra Lec

"That was our deal, correct. If I could persuade you to wait around for four or five days while I begin some negotiations and have time to draft a letter to my superiors I would greatly appreciate it."

Feargus spends the remainder of the day investigating whether the rumors of dervishes training at the temple are true and trying to meet one.

Feargus is shown around by an inititiate on Mnencir, in black robes with a red sash. "One of the main purposes of the Temple of Mnencir is the training of warriors, holy warriors, tasked with the promotion of Law throughout the land. These warriors serve the Temple, protect Kimrid, but also travel out into world, spreading the word of Mnencir and bringing Chaos to task." He passes a number of monks and initiates engaged in various tasks, and circles around the complex. Feargus is savvy enough to realize that there is a substantial portion of the complex he is not shown. He sees monks engaging in weapons training and mock combat; they seem to favor light armor, and quick strike. "We do have warriors looking for posting, dervishes of Mnencir, but we must carefully vet anyone who is interested. The Chosen of Mnencir do not serve just anyone."

Later that night, he and Mardan Cy get down to business in the common room, performing an extended version of the tale of the Company's adventures.

The duo plays well together, and there are appreciative nods from the patrons in the Common Room. It seems as if more patrons come in as the night goes on, a few more than the previous night. "Not bad," says Anhere, "not bad. I might have to hire you to do that full time. You should expand the one about the Nightstalker; I think folks really liked that. The part where Goshawk dies is heart wrenching."

http://orokos.com/roll/772198: 2#1d20+1 17 8

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Twentysecondday
Kimrid

Telemachus casts detect magic. Both the gauntlets and the amulet are magical. The pair then proceed to find this Torthuk Three-toed. The Gere river runs through the back of Kimrid; the walls run a score of feet into the water and then end in battlements, creating a small harbor nearly a thousand yards long. A number of wooden docks run out into the river, which flows lazy and slow through. It's about twice the width of the Sarn, and much slower moving. Like the rest of the town, it seems somewhat underused. Perhaps thirty boats are moored here, but at least a third of them look derelict, listing badly or slowly sinking under the weight of disuse. Most of the boats are smallish prams, skiffs with a single mast, or similar that one or two fisherman might take out for the day. A handful are bigger; two or three look to be true sailing craft, while the remainder are of a type the adventurers have seen on the river at Junction; flat bottom river boats, almost barges, with a single sail and four oars, designed to carry goods.

A number of buildings line the river, set back perhaps fifty feet from the river's edge. Some look to be warehouses, or shipyards, while two are clearly alehouses. A narrower street divides this frontage with another row of buildings, and it is here that the two find their quarry. Torthuk Three-toed is a slight, nervous looking man with an overlarge mustache and a large adam's apple. His store is dimly lit and filled with an abundance of goods, most of them in bags or crates or boxes, and everything unmarked. Torthuk is working at a bench on the back wall, grinding something with a mortar and pestle. What Telemachus recognizes to the equipment of an alchemist in on the bench. "Can I help you?" he inquires, as the adventurers enter.

[VonAlric]

Gardo

Gardo, still disturbed by Notai's reaction from the previous night, decides that today is a day of not doing anything much at all. "Notai, Wulfka. We shall not spar this day. I say we take the chance to explore around the town some, find food, and go outside the walls to enjoy the day. In fact, we should get food and drink for the men! They did lose two comrades so a celebration in their honor should be made. So let's do that. We should bring them the drink a bit before the evening meal. I don't want to miss our new singing duo as they inform others of my... our exploits, do you?"

The trio will stroll and explore the market, river area and outside the walls. Dine outside and bring the men some decent ale.

[thirdkingdom]

Gardo

Gardo, still disturbed by Notai's reaction from the previous night, decides that today is a day of not doing anything much at all. "Notai, Wulfka. We shall not spar this day. I say we take the chance to explore around the town some, find food, and go outside the walls to enjoy the day. In fact, we should get food and drink for the men! They did lose two comrades so a celebration in their honor should be made. So let's do that. We should bring them the drink a bit before the evening meal. I don't want to miss our new singing duo as they inform others of my... our exploits, do you?"

The trio will stroll and explore the market, river area and outside the walls. Dine outside and bring the men some decent ale.

Fourthmonth, Twentysecondday
Kimrid

The fields outside the walls are mostly fallow, and in addition to the Company's mercenaries there are a few smaller groups camped outside the walls as well. One is a group of a dozen women, dressed in leathers and wielding crossbows and short, slashing blades. The trio sees them practicing on nimble horses. The other sites are largely deserted, and the adventurers are told that they belong to caravan guards. "Mostly spend their time drinking in the taverns down by the docks," says one of the Kimrid guards. "Mercenaries!" he spits at the ground. "When they're not loafing about gambling they're drunk, and often both at the same time."

The markets of Kimrid are located a couple of streets up from the river; it seems the areas furthest away from the river, higher up the slope the town is built upon, are reserved for residences and more exclusive businesses, while the general market is situated between the river and residences.

For the most part they're pretty much the same as markets all around the Principalities. Stalls and small shops selling fresh caught fish, game trapped in the woods, early vegetable and fruits, fabric and linens and pottery. The adventurers get the sense that anything of interest -- to them, at least -- is likely to be found at the docks themselves, where the merchants store their goods, or at a few of the businesses scattered throughout the town.

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus

Feargus awakens, satisfied from the night's performance, and just generally enjoying being back among civilization. Catching up with the others, he mentions his conversation with Lec and how she is hoping that the party remain in town for a few days. "I think we take the time to explore that tower. By the way, if we are looking to hire on any more hands, it seems we may be able to convince one of the trained dervishes at the temple to accompany us. For my part though and assuming we re-unite with Goshawk, I have my hands full training young Mardan."

[thirdkingdom]

Feargus

Feargus awakens, satisfied from the night's performance, and just generally enjoying being back among civilization. Catching up with the others, he mentions his conversation with Lec and how she is hoping that the party remain in town for a few days. "I think we take the time to explore that tower. By the way, if we are looking to hire on any more hands, it seems we may be able to convince one of the trained dervishes at the temple to accompany us. For my part though and assuming we re-unite with Goshawk, I have my hands full training young Mardan."

We've still got some more stuff to take care of on the current game day, but I'll remember this post when we get to the 23rd.

[thirdkingdom]

Newton

He turns to Telemachus "If you plan to go searching for wizards, can I accompany you?"

Telemachus

"Of course. Just... let me do the talking."

shaidar, I think sully is traveling, so if you want to go ahead and post feel free. I'm not going to penalize you guys for that or anything.

[shaidar]

Newton smiles at the man

"Good day, we are seeking master Torthuk Three-Toed. This s Telemachus, a mage, and I am Newton Longville. We come from the Scarlet Principalities to the south. We're seeking to make mutually beneficial connections to mages in the area. We've also come into possession of some enchanted items, and wondered if you might be able to identify them for us"