Barduk & Fort Critwall

[hedgeknight]

Northern Furyondy, 585 CY, the month of Patchwall, Godsday 18, Samhain > Barduk & Fort Critwall
Arriving at Fort Critwall brings more than a few sighs of relief from your road-worn bodies. The festivities of Samhain are well under way and Adelphocles is excited to join the celebration.
Come Montego & Sai! We will sing and drink to our ancestors!

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The centaur picks the largest fire and joins the revelers, who cheer and welcome him, passing a large tankard of ale to him as they dance and sing in a circle, calling upon the spirits of the dead to keep them safe.

Sai does not join him immediately, but Montego mingles with the townsfolk.
"How goes things here in Barduk? Anything you wish to share that your protectors wouldn't tell us?"
Most of the townsfolk are not thinking about those type of things at the moment, as they are bent on getting drunk and invoking the spirits of their ancestors to watch over them.
But there happens to be a woman standing off by herself, sipping from a mug, tears streaming down her face. When she hears Montego's questions, she approaches him, giving him a critical appraisal with her eyes.
"Our families have suffered in this never-ending war. All of us! We've lost brothers, fathers...husbands, and it is doubtful we will survive the winter. Supply caravans don't come through here like they used to. Is that why you have come? You and your companions? Or are you just here for wine and women?"
She sips from her mug, swaying slightly...whether it's from the contents of her mug or the music, it's hard to tell.

The rest of the group moves on into the fort, some to the stables, some to the inn.
The stables and the smithy stand one story tall, constructed of solid wood. Double doors mark the main entrances to both halves of the structure. The doors to the smithy are open and you can feel the heat from inside without entering. A Dwarf works some iron at a forge and hearth, humming as he shapes the hot iron into something useful. Coal and iron bins sit just inside the doors.

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The stables consist of a small corral for horses to roam during the day, with over a dozen pens for them to be housed at night. A young Half-Orc helps you with your horses, not speaking much, but seemingly capable of feeding and grooming them to your satisfaction. If asked, he says, "Me...named Farkus and...me work good. Dorin help me sometimes."
(picture Hodor from GoT)

An inn dominates the interior of the fort. A weathered sign on it depicts an axe dripping blood. The front of the building has two large, pane-glass windows, still intact, with a well-used swinging door between them. Behind the bar stands a tall Dwarf with a long black beard.

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He is filling a mug and humming to himself, occasionally breaking into song...his voice is deep, yet melodic. Upon seeing Kranston enter with his drum, the bartender sings:

Who has come to save the day?
Who will join me in the fray?
Tell me cousin is it you?
Is your axe and sword sharp and true?

Kranston grins and begins to sing as well, his drum keeping the time.
The soldiers in the room listen...mostly...a few stomp their feet or clap their hands to the beat of Kranston's drum.

But almost as soon as Cassius and Muldgarr and Sai enter the inn and ask for rooms, Jasmalus pulls them aside.
"I must speak to you and your companions right away. I have a room upstairs. Please gather your friends and come to Room #10 as soon as possible!"
He seems rather uncharacteristically aggressive and demanding. His face is a mask of worry, his eyes darting all around the inn.

Actions?

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

Cassius raises his brows quizzically at Jasmalus, then nods his head. "Finally." Is all he says. He immediately gets serious and turns to the other two. "Sai, can you go get the drunk horse? Can he even get in here? No matter. Get Montego at least."

"Muldgarr, would you like to tear Kranston away from his song, or accompany Jasmalus to his room?" He addresses the old merchant. "Someone should stay by your side if you've finally decided that things are dangerous."

[Bluehorse]

Adelphocles accepts that tankard eagerly and raises his powerful voice to join the in the songs he knows, sings some that the locals will not, and learns some of the newer ones as they are being sung. He almost... frolics... among the people, all the equine strength and power now driven by human intelligence before the people watching as he celebrates with them. At some point during the festivities as the drink finally seems to be getting to his head he calls out towards the fires and the moon. LO! I SEE MY FATHER! LO! I SEE MY MOTHER! LO! I SEE MY LINE BACK TO THE BEGINNING!
THEY BID ME JOIN THEM IN THE SUMMER FIELDS TO SING AND FEAST WITH THEM AND THE SPIRITS! then almost as an aside to those around him. But not just yet... he snickers and then raises his tankard in another toast to the honored dead and drains it. Clearly he is oblivious to the happenings with his companions at the Inn.

[OGRE MAGE]

Montego listens to the woman's sad tale, one he is getting used to hearing out here on the road.

"Many have suffered mi'lady, and there is surely more suffering to come. But someday this war will be behind us all, possibly someday soon. If you think this is the only place that was ravaged by war, you should have seen some of the forts we have come from. Be happy that you still have each other, for things could be much worse, believe me."

"We have come not for the wine and women, but this celebration is a pleasure to behold for my eyes. For where there is still care enough to honor the ones we've lost, there remains desire to continue living."

"What is it that you need most here, if I may ask."

The large ranger continues to look around the celebration, attempting to keep track of the friends he can still see.

[Darklin2]

Sai

Heads out to find the the rest of the party members and clue them in on the meeting in on the Mysterious Meeting in Room 10. He walks through the crowd with his hood up and slips through the crowd not really engaging anyone. Realizing it may be hard for Adelphocies he lets the Centaur know about the meeting and that he will relay the information to him after.

Adelphocies we have been summoned to one of the Teamsters rooms for a meeting at the inn in room 10. Enjoy the festivities and i will relay the messages after it is over. Enjoy.

Returns to the Inn and heads to room 10.

[hedgeknight]

Adelphocles calls out towards the fires and the moon. LO! I SEE MY FATHER! LO! I SEE MY MOTHER! LO! I SEE MY LINE BACK TO THE BEGINNING! THEY BID ME JOIN THEM IN THE SUMMER FIELDS TO SING AND FEAST WITH THEM AND THE SPIRITS! then almost as an aside to those around him. But not just yet... he snickers and then raises his tankard in another toast to the honored dead and drains it. Clearly he is oblivious to the happenings with his companions at the Inn.

The townsfolk of Barduk cheer and call out the names of their long dead ancestors as well as those recently lost to the war. Adelphocles can hear the ache in their voices, the emotional call for protection...and yes, even vengeance on those who have caused their pain and suffering. Underneath all of that, he feels the connection these people have to the gods and to the land and it lifts his spirits...even as a young man lifts another foaming tankard to his strong hands.
As the folk cheer and call out names, several clanging mugs with Adelphocles, the young man who handed the mug to him steps up on a stump and the crowd quietens. He smiles and lifts his voice...

Drink with me to days gone by
Sing with me the songs we knew
Here's to pretty girls who went to our heads
Here's to witty girls who went to our beds
Here's to them...and here's to you!

https://youtu.be/ps0Ad5hFw4w

Montego
"We have come not for the wine and women, but this celebration is a pleasure to behold for my eyes. For where there is still care enough to honor the ones we've lost, there remains desire to continue living."
"What is it that you need most here, if I may ask." [/dialog]

The woman shakes her head sadly. "What I need most...you cannot give me. My husband is gone as is my father, both casualties of this wretched war. And there is no relief. I fear...we are forgotten."
She cocks her head and listens to the song and her smile is melancholy, her eyes wet with tears. "Drink we me, good sir."

[Bluehorse]

Adelphocles

When the singing subsides he makes it a point to clank tankards with the man and drink deeply. He even tosses him a coin in appreciation. -1gp

He then takes a breath and bellows out his the song from times long past in his rich bass voice.

Oh, misty eye of the mountain below
Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls
And should the sky be filled with fire and smoke
Keep watching over Durin's sons
If this is to end in fire
Then we should all burn together
Watch the flames climb high into the night
Calling out for the rope
Stand by and we will
Watch the flames burn on and on
The mountain side, hey
And if we should die tonight
Then we should all die together
Raise a glass of wine for the last time
Calling out for the rope
Prepare as we will
Watch the flames burn on and on
The mountain side
Desolation comes upon the sky
Now I see fire
Inside the mountain
And I see fire
Burning the trees
And I see fire
Hollowing souls
And I see fire
Blood in the breeze
And I hope that you remember me
Oh, should my people fall
Then surely I'll do the same
Confined in mountain halls
We got too close to the flame
Calling out for the rope
Hold fast and we will
Watch the flames burn on and on
The mountain side
Desolation comes upon the sky
Now I see fire
Inside the mountain
And I see fire
Burning the trees
And I see fire
Hollowing souls
And I see fire
Blood in the breeze
And I hope that you remember me
And if the night is burning
I will cover my eyes
For if the dark returns
Then my brothers will die
And as the sky is falling down
It crashed into this lonely town
And with that shadow upon the ground
I hear my people screaming out
Now I see fire
Inside the mountains
I see fire
Burning the trees
I see fire
Hollowing souls
I see fire
Blood in the breeze
I see fire
Oh you know I saw a city burning out (fire)
And I see fire
Feel the heat upon my skin, yeah (fire)
And I see fire (fire)
And I see fire burn on and on the mountain side

Not base, but a great performance of the song by a talented young lady.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b98ZnlY18DE

Sai
Adelphocies we have been summoned to one of the Teamsters rooms for a meeting at the inn in room 10. Enjoy the festivities and i will relay the messages after it is over. Enjoy.

Returns to the Inn and heads to room 10.

Adel is clearly enjoying the festivities and barely seems to register what is being told to him. He leans in on Sai and presses his half empty tankard to his check. You.... You need to drink! Tell me about your grandfathers!

[Hotgoblin]

"Muldgarr, would you like to tear Kranston away from his song, or accompany Jasmalus to his room?" He addresses the old merchant. "Someone should stay by your side if you've finally decided that things are dangerous."

Muldgarr looks inquisitively at them both, he responds with I will stay with Jasmalus. His eyes never leaving the man’s face. Let us to proceed to the room. After you.... He quietly readies his sword, in fear of an ambush in room 10.

[OGRE MAGE]

Montego suddenly looks around suspiciously, wondering why everyone here is pushing the drink so hard.

He sniffs the contents of his mug, pouring a bit out on the stone bricks at his feet to inspect the bubbles, looking for anything off.

"You are not forgotten, mi'lady. I assure you. We have made it this far, so other caravans will come behind us. I dont know what our true purpose is here yet, but I think things will start to get better here before you know it."

If his inspection raises any red flags, the ranger doesn't take another drink, instead looking around for the others.

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

He nods at Jasmalus and pats Muldgarr on the shoulder. "I'll be right back with a drunk dwarf."

Cassius moves to find Kranston, navigating mainly by ear. When he finds him, Cassius waits for him to finish his verse then waves at him to get his attention.

[hedgeknight]

Not base, but a great performance of the song by a talented young lady.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b98ZnlY18DE

Great stuff, man! I think I could watch her sing just about anything.

Jasmalus enters his room and begins to pace, waiting on the others.
"I know you've been suspicious of me," he says, not looking at Muldgarr directly. "But I promise you, I've had good reason for my withdrawn behavior. Where are the others?"

Outside, Adelphocles leans on Sai...which is saying alot since the centaur outweighs him by several hundred pounds.
And nearby, Montego timidly tastes the ale handed to him and finds it surprisingly good.
The woman to whom he has been speaking turns and faces the fire, closing her eyes, lost in her own memories.

[ChubbyPixie]

After a bit of effort, Cassius is able to get Kranston's attention, tearing him away from his duet with the bartender.

"We were just beginning verse seven, Cassius, what could possibly be more important? It's just getting to the good part with the goats and the mistletoe..." he says.

After having the situation explained to him, he reluctantly shoulders his drum and stands, swaying only very slightly. He bows to the bartender. "We shall continue where we left off, sir, at the earliest convenience. Now, Cassius, lead on..." he says.

[Darklin2]

Sai

Takes a long drag off the Mug and hands it back to the Centaur.

My ancestors are not worth talking about and that is a long story. Maybe some day on the road I will tell you that story. But for now enjoy your drink my friend I will return later to check on you. Here, this is your mug.

He leans the Centaur up against the closest person and heads back to the Inn. Makes his way to Room 10. Beats on the door and enters.

Sorry I am late, Adelphocies is three sheets to the wind so I will fill him in when I leave here and when he is sober enough to understand. So what is so important??

[hedgeknight]

Four of you answer the summons to the room of the merchant Jasmalus. He is pacing back and forth in front of the window, studying each of you intently as you enter his room. Once he realizes no one else is coming, he closes the door behind him and begins to speak.

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"I know how odd this must seem. I realize I do not present my friendliest face to the world, but my privacy has its reasons. Nevertheless, the death of my brother, and other events on this trip, force me to reveal myself.
"I told you my brother's name was Jetero. That was a lie. My brother's name was Jasmalus, and he was the merchant who traveled these routes. MY name is Jetero, and I am a special agent for Count Artur Jakartai. The count sent me with this caravan, posing as my brother, to secretly scout the border and track Iuz's troops movements."

He takes out the small book you have seen him writing in during the course of the journey.

"My information of these troop movements is contained in here. It points to one invariable conclusion: Iuz has manned a secret humanoid base within Furyondy itself. Moving troops and supplies in during the dead of night, he has used these not-so random border raids to cover his true intent. As soon as I arrived, I overheard the soldiers here talking of wagons crossing the river upstream and downstream of Fort Critwall.
"A secret Iuzian base hidden within our borders could spell doom for Furyondy. I must warn Jakartai immediately and have him pass word along to King Belvor. To do this, I must deliver this book.
"I have a problem, however. Someone has betrayed my position, someone within the Furyondian command. The Orcs attacked my brother's caravan because they believed him to be me. Only a few knew of my impersonation - it can only mean we have a traitor in our midst.
"But it also means I cannot deliver this book myself. With the fate of Furyondy at stake, I cannot endanger this information.
"I have contacted one of Jakartai's scouts in the area, a trustworthy agent named Jeremiah. You can find him at a safehouse in the woods nearby. I will give you directions there. He...well, you will know him when you see him."

(You may recall it was Count Jakartai who commissioned you for this duty.)

[ChubbyPixie]

Kranston glances sideways at the others, then looks back to Jasmalus.

"Well, now I'm intrigued. Spy work, eh? So we take the book and the scout will lead us where we need to go, is that it?" he says, relishing the idea of their new apparent role. Dashing spies!

"Wait... you're not who you said you were - how do we know you're on the up and up?" he says, squinting dubiously at the man.

[hedgeknight]

Jetero smiles slightly and says, "Spy work...I guess you could it that. All you have to do is deliver the book, Kranston. My contact will take it from there. And...I know I have deceived you about my identity, and you have every right not to trust me. But this situation is not about you or I, it is about the safety of Furyondy."

[Darklin2]

Sai

So this has been a Secret Mission the whole time. Any your the one throwing Fireballs at the Orcs at Fort Disaster. Well this is a fine deal, we are systematically volunteered for this mission and then they stick an undercover guy in the mix. Well I guess that is water under the preverbal bridge. I guess we are still on the same mission. What you think about you and I swapping some of them spells later. That Fireball thing would be a good start if I was able to learn it. What else ya got?


Wait a minute did you say Spy or Traitor? Might want to check into that guy that told us the distances to each town. His estimations where way off in the beginning of this whole trip. Wouldn't be surprised if he was the Lycanthrope that attacked us on the road too.

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

Cassius paces around as Jetero outlines the situation. "A secret base inside the border? A traitor involved? Spies?"

He looks to the others, trying to figure out how he should react to all of this. Kranston's glee at the prospect of new work reassures him a bit. "Can we see the book?"

[ChubbyPixie]

"Yes, the book!" says Kranston, "Is it jewel-encrusted? Written in an ancient hand? ... cursed?" The novelty and excitement is almost too much to bear for the dwarf. He leans in conspiratorially, anticipating a glimpse of ,what in his mind has become, simply, The Book.

[hedgeknight]

Wait a minute did you say Spy or Traitor? Might want to check into that guy that told us the distances to each town. His estimations where way off in the beginning of this whole trip. Wouldn't be surprised if he was the Lycanthrope that attacked us on the road too.[/color]

Jetero stares at Sai for several seconds, his mind racing. "Who told you these things? What guy?"

"The book?" Jetero asks. "Here it is. I'm afraid it is not very fancy. It's just my notes..."

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Meanwhile, Adelphocles is about to find himself in an entirely different situation.
"I enjoy your singing," croons a woman, suddenly appearing beside the tipsy centaur. Her skin is flushed, sweat runs between her breasts, her hair is disheveled; he carries a small glass of wine. "Perhaps we can go somewhere...and you can sing for me in private. I could rub you...down and then maybe go for...a ride?"
She runs her hand along Adelphocles' belly...and lower still as she talks, pressing herself up against him.